Church abuse victims condemn climate of shame and secrecy

CHILDREN abused by religious figures are less likely to report crimes because they form a belief that community leaders have “automatic morality”, a government report has found.

Child sex abuse survivors have told of the shame, guilt and embarrassment that prevented them from reporting their ordeals, amid calls for an end to the secrecy of religious institutions they claim enabled abuse.

The report revealed that, of 183 victims of sexual abuse in religious institutions interviewed, 69 per cent said they had not reported the crimes against them, more than a figure of 54 per cent for those in children’s homes, schools, secure care units and foster care.

The report also found that victims in almost half of cases (48 per cent) knew of someone else being abused.

The Truth Project, which runs alongside the Government’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, invites survivors to share their experiences and make recommendations for change. Its findings were published yesterday in the first survey of its kind.

Participants told the inquiry that it needed to address the secrecy that

‘Feelings of shame… created a huge barrier… as did the power and authority bestowed upon their abusers’

comes from the sanctity of religious institutions and the assumption that religious figures are automatically moral.

Most participants reported sexual abuse by individuals from Anglican and Catholic churches in England and Wales. However, abuse within other Christian denominations and other religions – including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Islam and Judaism – was also reported.

The report said survivors from “particularly closed religious communities” had described how inquiries by outside bodies had been hindered by community members and leaders.

The report concluded: “Culturally, participants stated that the secrecy that comes from the sanctity of religious institutions and the assumption of the automatic morality of those involved in them had to be addressed.”

Dr Sophia King, principal researcher, said: “This report examines their accounts in order to paint a clear picture of abuse in religious settings. It is clear that feelings of shame and embarrassment created a huge barrier to children disclosing abuse, as did the power and authority bestowed upon their abusers.”

Bishop of Bath and Wells Peter Hancock, the Church’s lead safeguarding bishop, described the report as “shocking” and “disturbing”.

“We would urge anyone who wants to report abuse and find support to come forward and we promise they will be heard,” he said.