header-logo header-logo

Church failed children on abuse

06 October 2020
Issue: 7905 / Categories: Legal News , Personal injury
printer mail-detail
Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse puts Anglican Church under the spotlight

The Anglican Church failed to protect children from predators within its ranks, and supported abusers rather than victims, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) has concluded.

Since the 1940s, at least 390 clergy or persons in positions of trust have been convicted of sexual offences against children. Many more victims have come forward with allegations against priests, vicars and youth leaders. In its report on abuse in the Anglican Church, published this week, the IICSA made eight recommendations, including creating a mandatory code of practice for clergy on safeguarding, the appointment of a diocesan safeguarding officer and implementing a formal information-sharing protocol between churches.

However, the ICCSA stopped short of recommending mandatory reporting, although it expects to address this issue in its final report. It heard widespread support, particularly among victims and survivors, for making failure to report child sexual abuse a crime. However, there were conflicting views on what should be reported, when and to whom. The Charity Commission also expressed concerns that an increase in referrals might divert attention from the most serious cases―instead, it supported a criminal offence of deliberately concealing child sexual abuse.

The government consulted on mandatory reporting in 2016 but only 12% of respondents were in favour of a change in the law.

Alan Collins, partner at Hugh James and specialist child abuse lawyer, said: ‘The evidence presented to IICSA makes it abundantly clear that it should be mandatory for any person in a position of trust to report an allegation, or suspicion, of child sexual abuse to the police.

‘To be effective, any failure to do so should be an offence for both the individual and the body that they belong to or represent. Without this, children remain in grave danger of being failed, not only by the perpetrator, but by the system that should be there to protect and serve. This would be a serious missed opportunity.’

Issue: 7905 / Categories: Legal News , Personal injury
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll