Child Sexual Abuse Report: faith bodies are failing children
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is providing space for victims and survivors of sexual abuse to speak of their horrific experience, of lives ruined and health destroyed. Their experience informed the investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings. Quakers in Britain welcome the investigation report which has been published today by The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, said Quakers are committed to making sure everyone is safe in the Quaker community. He contributed to the Inquiry, providing written witness statements in 2019 to IICSA's investigation. The public hearings were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but concluded in August 2020.
Paul Parker explained: “IICSA is building the case for change and improvements in how institutions must protect children, learning from the past and drawing on the experiences of victims and survivors. Quakers in Britain see this as important work and we uphold everyone involved."
“The report makes recommendations for improving safeguarding across religious organisations and settings. We look forward to considering the details and any implications for Quaker communities."
“All faith bodies," he said, “including Quakers, need to examine the organisational and cultural barriers which put children at risk of abuse."
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IICSA is building the case for change and improvements in how institutions must protect children, learning from the past and drawing on the experiences of victims and survivors. We uphold everyone involved.
- Paul Parker, Recording Clerk
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Paul Parker said, “The Inquiry's findings are fair, clear and helpful. The Inquiry has prompted Quakers to make improvements, such as creating a new national case management database. Quakers in Britain now work much more closely with local Quaker groups to record and share information appropriately."
The 'Child protection in religious organisations and settings' report examined evidence received from 38 religious organisations with a presence in England and Wales.
The report makes clear the significance of the investigation. It says that religious organisations play a central and even dominant role in the lives of millions of children in England and Wales. The report highlights “the blatant hypocrisy and moral failing of religions purporting to teach right from wrong and yet failing to prevent or respond to child sexual abuse".