CHURCH OF ENGLAND FACING HUGE NUMBER OF SEX ABUSE CASES
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:39 am
Church of England spending on issues relating to sexual abuse has increased fivefold since 2014 and the most recent figures show it is facing more than 3,300 allegations.
The disclosures come as the church prepares to face intense scrutiny by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA), which starts hearing evidence next month.
“This will not be an easy couple of years – we will hear deeply painful accounts of abuse, of poor response, of ‘cover-up’. We will … feel a deep sense of shame,” Peter Hancock, the bishop of Bath and Wells and the C of E’s lead bishop on safeguarding, told the general synod in London.
Many survivors of clerical sexual abuse “remain deeply mistrustful, suspicious and angry towards the church,” he said.
The C of E said that in 2016 it was dealing with more than 3,300 reports of sexual abuse within its parishes, the vast majority relating to “children, young people and vulnerable adults within church communities”.
Almost one in five of the reports were made against clergy and other church officials, with the rest relating to other members of the congregation who volunteer within the church.
So, no real surprise that it isn't just the Catlicks at it.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/ ... res-reveal
The disclosures come as the church prepares to face intense scrutiny by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA), which starts hearing evidence next month.
“This will not be an easy couple of years – we will hear deeply painful accounts of abuse, of poor response, of ‘cover-up’. We will … feel a deep sense of shame,” Peter Hancock, the bishop of Bath and Wells and the C of E’s lead bishop on safeguarding, told the general synod in London.
Many survivors of clerical sexual abuse “remain deeply mistrustful, suspicious and angry towards the church,” he said.
The C of E said that in 2016 it was dealing with more than 3,300 reports of sexual abuse within its parishes, the vast majority relating to “children, young people and vulnerable adults within church communities”.
Almost one in five of the reports were made against clergy and other church officials, with the rest relating to other members of the congregation who volunteer within the church.
So, no real surprise that it isn't just the Catlicks at it.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/ ... res-reveal