Past Cases Review 2 – Publication of Independent Report and Diocesan Response

The Diocese of London has published the Independent Report of its Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2), with its response to the recommendations made. This comes alongside the National Church of England’s PCR2 Report which is also now available.

The national background to the PCR2 process can be found here. London’s PCR2 was commissioned in Autumn 2019 and conducted by a team of independent reviewers led by Kevin Ball. It was overseen by a reference group comprising of independent representatives from statutory agencies and survivor organisations, as well as two senior clergy, a project manager, and representatives from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

London’s PCR2 was completed in August 2021, and was submitted to the Diocesan Safeguarding Steering Group, and then the National Steering Group later that year. It is being published now to coincide with the National Church’s report, and the Diocese’s response outlines the actions that have already been taken following the findings of the review.

Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, said:

“We apologise unreservedly to every victim and survivor of abuse. We have read with sorrow the stories of those who were abused, and whose abuse was compounded by not being heard by the Diocese when they attempted to complain. We recognise that some clergy and church officers have been complicit in abuse when they have ignored what was often hiding in plain sight before their own eyes. We recognise that poor practice and poor and underfunded systems have contributed to the perpetuation of abuse and the inadequate treatment of survivors. We deeply regret that this has been the case. We acknowledge that apologies alone can never be enough, and we are focused on acting and working towards lasting change.”

Sharing a concern about a past or current experience

It is still vitally important that if you have a concern about abuse that you have experienced, that you are able to come forward.

The opportunity to speak about the past has not come to an end, and we want to be able to support you.

You will be heard, and you will be taken seriously.

How to get in touch

Anybody who would like to give information or make a disclosure about church-related abuse that is current, or non-recent is asked to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team via 020 7932 1224 or safeguarding@london.anglican.org

What is PCR2?

This was another step to making the Church a safer place for all. It stands for ‘Past Cases Review 2’ and was a large-scale independent review of the handling by the Church of safeguarding cases over many years. It involved a scrutiny of clergy and church officers’ files to identify persons presenting on-going risks to children, adults at risk of harm and domestic abuse and also sought to identify those cases which had not been acted upon appropriately.

The review approved by the House of Bishops was carried out in all parishes and church institutions across all 42 dioceses in the Church of England.

All Church of England priests were asked to check their records to ensure that all safeguarding concerns had been reported to the diocesan safeguarding adviser.

The objectives were:

  • To ensure all known safeguarding cases had been appropriately identified and managed
  • The needs of known survivors had been considered and supported
  • All identified risks had been assessed and mitigated as far as is reasonably possible

When did the review happen?

The PCR2 was launched by the Church of England in August 2019 The Diocese of London launched the project in an ad clerum from the Bishop of London the Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally. The reviews ran throughout 2020 and 2021.

I want to raise a concern – what should I do?

Anybody who would like to give information or make disclosures about church-related abuse in the Diocese of London can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 020 3837 1224 or safeguarding@london.anglican.org

Further information

More information about PCR2 is available from the Church of England website

Key Documents:

Background and Overview

Protocols and Guidance