Church of England approves compensation for sexual abuse survivors

The Church of England has approved an initial compensation scheme for survivors of sexual abuse that could reach a multimillion-pound sum as it braces itself for the findings of an independent inquiry to be published next week.

The C of E’s executive body, the Archbishops’ Council, unanimously agreed to draw down reserves for the first payouts to survivors as part of an “interim pilot scheme”.

The amount available for the scheme was not disclosed but it is expected to help up to 10 survivors initially, with one already in receipt of financial assistance. These people are in “seriously distressed circumstances”, and are cases in which the church has “a heightened responsibility” because of the way it responded to a disclosure of abuse, the C of E said.

The pilot cases would help inform the development of a full redress scheme for victims and survivors of abuse, it added.

The total number of people to be compensated could run into thousands. In 2017 alone, the church dealt with 3,287 incidents relating to current and past abuse of children and vulnerable adults, including some allegations of serious criminal offences. About one in three required reporting to statutory agencies.

Under the compensation scheme, cash payments will be available, but the emphasis is on funding support such as financial and debt counselling, therapeutic support and seed funding to help with employment for those in dire straits. In rare cases, there may be help with housing.

The Archbishops’ Council also committed the C of E to greater independence and transparency in the way it deals with abuse.

In a statement, the archbishops of Canterbury and York acknowledged “we have responded badly to survivors … We are profoundly sorry for our failings, but today our words of sorrow are matched by actions that we believe will lead to real change.”

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been taking evidence about abuse and its cover-up within the C of E in a series of hearings over the past two and a half years. Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, John Sentamu, the former archbishop of York, and several other bishops have given testimony in person, along with survivors and officials.

The inquiry’s report is expected to castigate the church for its failure to act on disclosures of abuse and to treat survivors with compassion, and for protecting clergy at the expense of children and vulnerable adults. An earlier investigation by IICSA into abuse by bishop Peter Ball found the church prioritised its own reputation above the needs of victims.

Commenting on the compensation scheme, Andrew Graystone, an advocate for abuse survivors, said: “The church shouldn’t look at this as an act of generosity, but as the very beginnings of paying its debt to survivors of abuse.”

He added: “The needs of survivors are very varied and lifelong. They may include housing, counselling, information and apology, as well as financial support for lost income. It’s never just a matter of writing a cheque to make things better.”

Independent scrutiny and management of safeguarding was the only way to make the church safer, he said. “I’m glad that the archbishops are both now committed to this. I fully expect that IICSA will demand nothing less.”