Past case review 2

Work is underway in all 42 dioceses on the Church of England's Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) with a key focus on listening to survivors who want to come forward. The Church was criticised for not including their voices in the original PCR 2007/8 as shown in an independent scrutiny report, published in 2018.

The guidelines for PCR2 were published in August 2019 and include an independent helpline run by the NSPCC for survivors.

Currently:

• All dioceses are reviewing files which are known not to have been examined in the original review (including those of diocesan lay employees working with children) or which have subsequently been located.
• All dioceses are checking with every parish that all safeguarding concerns* about the behaviour of any parish employee or volunteer towards children both currently and historically have been notified to the DSA.
• An updated version of the original PCR has been conducted in the seven dioceses where further work was identified in the Independent Scrutiny Report (Ely, Rochester, Sheffield, Lichfield, Salisbury, Winchester and Sodor & Man).
• An independent reviewer is being appointed in each diocese to look at all relevant files and provide a final report which will be submitted both to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel and the national PCR2 Management Board.
• Due to the delays caused by the response to Covid 19 the deadline for completion of this work has been moved to Spring 2021.

Bishop Mark Sowerby, chair of the national PCR Management Board said: “The Church is committed to ensuring that survivor voices are heard, but we are aware that those who have suffered through the Church may prefer to speak to someone outside which is why we have commissioned the NSPCC helpline. We would urge anyone who wants to talk to please come forward. As a Church we must pray for all those involved, particularly survivors who may be reminded of their abuse, remembering that the effects of abuse are lifelong.”

Melissa Caslake director of the NST said: “This is a substantial and significant task to ensure that the Church is a safer place for all and it is vital we ensure that survivors feel they can come forward in confidence. As a Team we are developing best practice in responding well and we hope that the PCR2 process will help us deal with any concerns that have not been addressed, while learning important lessons for the future.”

Click here for frequently asked questions.

What does this mean for St Edmundsbury and Ipswich regarding PCR2?

Plans were in place to commence the PCR2 review in our diocese in June 2020. Due to the restrictions which have been imposed in response to Covid 19, the date has had to be postponed. A new start date has yet to be finalised.  Although it has not been possible during the lockdown period to continue with the areas of work which require access to church and office buildings, the Safeguarding Manager has continued to work on the administrative processes.

These include: -

• Identifying and commissioning two Independent Reviewers
• Collating Parish returns for cases which need to be included in the review
• Working with Survivors in transition to agree a Survivor Engagement and Support Strategy
• Identifying alternative support agencies who can also provide assistance to anyone who may be affected by the PCR2 process.

If you want to get in touch in relation to PCR2, please contact our Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, Karen Galloway tel: 01473 298500 or 07785 621319.

We appreciate that contacting the diocese may not feel safe for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the Church and a dedicated telephone helpline, operating independently from the Church, has been set up, the number is 0800 80 20 20 and is being run by the NSPCC Helpline for Children and Adults.

Updated June 2020.