The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, published its overarching investigation report into the Church of England and Church in Wales on 7 October. Ahead of its publication, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the lead safeguarding bishop and the national director of safeguarding published this open letter.
Commending both the report and the letter to churches and individuals, The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, said: “Please read this carefully, mindful that the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is everyone's responsibility. IICSA has shone a light on the failings of the past and will be making some clear recommendations. In order to build a better future, it is crucial that we first acknowledge these failings and our collective role them.
“It is right that we apologise for those failings - and if that apology is to be meaningful, we must all be resolved to learn these hard lessons and to do things differently. We all have a part to play in making our churches, mission and ministry safer for all, and I am grateful to each one of you for your role in this crucial work - thank you.”
If you have a safeguarding issue, either current or from the past and want to talk to one of our Safeguarding Advisers please see our safeguarding information here.