Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which published a dedicated Anglican Church

he Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which published a dedicated Anglican Church investigation report in 2020 and incorporated findings into its final report in October 2022.

IICSA Key Findings on the Church of England

IICSA concluded that the Church had, over decades, created an environment where abusers could operate with relative impunity. Specific criticisms included:

Senior leaders (clergy, bishops, and archbishops) often failed to report known or suspected abuse to police or statutory authorities.

A culture of deference to clergy, combined with concerns about reputational damage, led to neglect of victims' physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

The Church's structures and power dynamics sometimes treated allegations with disbelief, victim-blaming, or a desire to "make the problem go away" rather than ensure accountability.

Examples highlighted included the cases of Peter Ball (former Bishop of Gloucester, convicted in 2015 for historic offences; senior figures, including then-Archbishop George Carey, were criticised for downplaying concerns) and other instances where disclosures were not acted upon, allowing perpetrators to continue offending.

The Inquiry described the Church as having become, in some contexts, "a hiding place for abusers," with its moral mission undermined by these failures. Similar patterns appeared in other religious institutions examined by IICSA.1e24d9

These were not isolated incidents but reflected broader institutional shortcomings, such as inconsistent safeguarding policies, inadequate training, and resistance to external oversight.

High-Profile Cases and Reviews

John Smyth case: A barrister and evangelical Christian linked to abuse at summer camps and Christian camps in the UK and abroad (including Zimbabwe). A 2024–2025 independent learning lessons review (Makin Review) examined the Church's response after allegations emerged in the 1980s and later. It highlighted delays, inadequate investigations, and failures to protect victims or share information effectively. The Church has acknowledged harm and committed to implementing recommendations.

Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB): Established in 2021 to provide independent oversight, it was disbanded in 2023 amid disputes. Subsequent reviews (Wilkinson Report 2023 and Jay Report on the future of safeguarding 2024) criticised governance, lack of true independence, and slow progress. This led to further internal reforms and external pressure from regulators.

Other cases involved clergy or volunteers, with survivors reporting being dismissed, silenced, or retraumatised by Church processes.