From Mr Simon Bass and Dr Lisa Oakley
Sir, - Susanna Gridley's article (Comment, 27
September) is a timely and helpful reminder that we must not
ignore the very real danger of the sexual abuse of adults, too, in
Anglican and all other church congregations. We, therefore, welcome
the fact that the Church of England, together with other
denominations, is already addressing this issue, and Responding
Well to Those Who Have Been Sexually Abused (2011) is a very
positive step forward.
We must also, however, never assume that "abusers" are only
clergy, or those holding similar positions of authority in the
Church. Dr Lisa Oakley's (Manchester Metropolitan University)
recent research into spiritual abuse indicates that those lower
down church hierarchies may abuse, too. This distinction is
important, since, if we accept that it is perpetrated only by those
in authority, we may create a second tier of "hidden" abuse
victims.
Second, something else lies even more deeply buried than sexual
abuse. This is spiritual abuse, or psychological and emotional
abuse without a sexual or physical element. Its victims suffer from
having even less access to intervention and support than have those
suffering from sexual abuse.
The Church Experience Survey (2013), a summary of which was
published in CCPAS's Caring magazine this summer, found
that more than 70 per cent of respondents felt manipulated at their
current church at least sometimes, and 74 per cent had felt damaged
by a church experience.
The article states that the C of E does not acknowledge that
spiritual abuse exists, which is true; but this research points to
it as also going unrecognised across other denominations. It is a
serious problem, and needs to be tackled urgently.
Susanna argues that "Children are now safer in churches because
of formal procedures." This is partly true, but the most important
message is that formal procedures alone cannot safeguard children
and adults effectively. The ultimate solution is that every church
must go far beyond mere box-ticking, and instead develop a holistic
culture of safeguarding, recognising that those in positions of
authority, indeed all churchgoers, have a responsibly to respect -
which includes safeguarding - every single member of their
congregations.
Surely this is what real safeguarding is all about?
LISA OAKLEY
Programme Leader, Abuse Studies
Manchester Metropolitan University
SIMON BASS
Chief Executive
CCPAS
PO Box 133, Swanley
Kent BR8 7UQ
