We have seen time and time again, the reputations of individuals, organisations, and institutions put above the safety, welfare and wellbeing of survivors of horrendous abuse.
Failings in safeguarding and the reporting of child sexual abuse have a long term and sometimes life-long impact on survivors.
Why does this matter? Because at Survive, 67% of our clients have been subjected to child sexual abuse and every day we see the harm that has been caused to them.
We know that child sexual abuse can affect a survivor’s emotional, physical, and mental health. Every week we see the harm caused by child sexual abuse: the high levels of psychological distress in survivors; the PTSD symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks; the extreme anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), published in October 2022, found institutions looking after children did not follow good practice in safeguarding and when confronted about it either failed to follow good practice or tried to cover it up. The inquiry made 20 recommendations to improve standards to protect current and future generations of children from sexual harm; not one of these recommendations has been adopted.
Survive has pledged to be a part of #ActOnIICSA, standing beside other sexual violence agencies and calling on the government to act now to prevent sexual harm to current and future generations of children.
We should be able to trust our leaders – governmental, organisational, institutional, and community – to protect our children from abuse by ensuring appropriate safeguarding and procedures are in place and adhered to. If there was ever a time to act, it is now.
Please join our campaign to #ActOnIICSA.
For further comment, please contact our CEO, Ms Mags Godderidge via survive@survive-northyorks.org.uk
Why has the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned?
A report by The Iwerne Trust (written in 1982 but not made public until 2016) revealed that John Smyth – a barrister associated with the Church of England and Chair of The Iwerne Trust, a group that promoted the bible to young people – had committed “horrific” abuse of more than 100 children and young men during the 1970s and 80s. It is said that this report was covered up by the Church of England and no reports were made to the police at the time. The Trust instead encouraged Smyth to leave the UK.
An independent review, released last week, found Mr Welby and other church officers “knew, at the highest level” about the abuse committed by John Smyth by 2013. The review revealed that police were told of Smyth’s abuse between 2013 and 2016, however Church leaders failed to lodge a formal report. In 2017, Channel 4 News released a documentary looking into the abuse – only after this did the police launch a full investigation.
Smyth died the year after, in 2018. It is believed that his abuse continued in South Africa, after leaving the UK.
Following the independent review, public pressure, and a petition set up by members of the General Synod (the Church’s parliament), Mr Welby resigned.
Why did Justin Welby resign? The fateful decision that led to downfall
John Smyth QC: Decades of abuse covered up by church, report says – BBC News
Archbishop of Canterbury: Why did Justin Welby resign after abuse scandal? – BBC News
