In 2007, the Church of England commissioned a Past Cases Review, which sought to look at the handling by the Church of child protection cases over many years. This entailed an independent scrutiny of the files of clergy and church officers to identify any persons presenting on-going risks to children and young people (a child or young person is anyone under the age of 18) which had not been acted on appropriately. The House of Bishops wants to ensure that our churches and church-related activities are as safe as possible for children and vulnerable adults. All Dioceses have therefore been asked to extend the review to include children, young people and vulnerable adults. This process is called Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2).
The PCR2 process was welcomed by the Diocese of Peterborough, and the process took place in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Independent Reviewers (IR) – selected for the role by the National Safeguarding Team – reviewed files held within the Diocese.
Objectives of PCR 2
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To identify all information held within parishes, cathedrals, dioceses or other church bodies, which may contain allegations of abuse or neglect where the alleged perpetrator is a clergy person or other church officer and ensure these cases have been independently reviewed.
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To ensure all allegations of abuse of children, especially those that have been recorded since the original PCR, have been handled appropriately and proportionately to the level of risk identified and with the paramountcy principle evidenced within decision making.
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To ensure that recorded incidents or allegations of abuse of an adult (including domestic abuse) have been handled appropriately demonstrating the principles of adult safeguarding.
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To ensure that the support needs of known survivors have been considered.
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To ensure that all safeguarding allegations have been referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers and are being/have been responded to in line with current safeguarding practise guidance.
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To ensure that cases meeting the relevant thresholds have been referred to statutory agencies.
The Diocese of Peterborough has engaged in carrying out its PCR2. The review was in depth and involved 3 Independent Reviewers. The review is now complete and has reported its findings to both the Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group and the National Past Cases Review Project Board. No cases were found that were of concern and all safeguarding allegations reported to the church were found to have been dealt with appropriately.
Read the Executive Summary of the Report.
For more information on the national report and to read the full national report visit the Past Cases Review 2 section on the Church of England website.
The welfare of children or of adults at risk of abuse is of paramount importance in the execution of our PCR2. We still urge anyone wishing to give information or make disclosures of church-related abuse to make direct contact with our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers (DSA) on 01733 887040 / 887041. If you feel it would be easier to email, then please contact safeguarding@peterborough-diocese.org.uk.
For those who have a lived experience of abuse within a church setting, we recognise that this option may not feel safe for you. Safer Spaces is a free and independent support service providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with the Church of England, Catholic Church of England and Wales or the church in Wales. If you, or anyone you are in contact with, want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or email: safespaces@splitz.org