Along with all other dioceses in the Church of England, the Diocese of Manchester is currently undertaking an independent safeguarding review - Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) - to confirm that all past cases of abuse involving clergy or other church officers have been properly addressed.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Dr David Walker, launched the review earlier this year when all the parishes in the diocese were contacted for information about every such known case of concern.
As the next stage in the PCR2 process, the diocese has now appointed an Independent Reviewer, Suzanne Cottrell, to ensure that safeguarding cases have been identified and dealt with appropriately, including safeguarding cases in parishes.
As the Independent Reviewer, Suzanne Cottrell is required to report her findings directly to the Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Panel, Kathy Batt, as well as the Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker. She is expected to make her report by the summer of 2021.
The PCR2 process aims to learn lessons about the church’s handling of safeguarding concerns. If you wish to make known your experience of how any concern was handled, please contact the Independent Reviewer, Suzanne Cottrell by email at suzannecottrell@manchester.anglican.org. Anyone who wishes to report a new safeguarding concern is encouraged to contact the Diocese of Manchester Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org or by calling 0161 828 1451.
Safeguarding page
Any review of past cases is difficult for those directly affected and those who may have had similar experiences. Safeguarding concerns are never only a matter of records and procedures. Each involves the tragedy of damaged lives and long-lasting effects.
Manchester Diocese is therefore making available specialist survivor trauma-informed therapy for men or women, in partnership with two leading sexual support charities in Greater Manchester, Survivors Manchester and Greater Manchester Rape Crisis. Each organisation will provide their 1:1 therapeutic, group and Independent Sexual Violence Advisor services to male and female survivors whose past complaint is being independently reviewed as part of the PCR2 process. The two charities have worked for many years to provide Greater Manchester survivors with spaces and services that meet individuals needs and joined forces a number of years ago to strengthen the Greater Manchester offer.
Anne Stebbings, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Manchester Rape Crisis said: “We’re delighted to be able to again work with our friends and colleagues at Survivors Manchester on a specific project that is going to enable us to reach out to survivors and make sure they know we’re here”.
The investment by the Diocese of Manchester in the project will enable each of the charities to increase the hours available in their respective trauma informed talking therapy services by increasing the therapists available.
Survivors Manchester Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Craig OBE, said “It is important that we do everything we can to reach out to survivors in every way we can and so I’m grateful to Bishop David and the Diocese for inviting and welcoming both Survivors Manchester and Greater Manchester to the table”.
Both the Diocese and the charities believe that by working together, those individuals that wish to access specialist support will be able to do this at the time that is right for them.
The charities’ contact details are below, together with those of other organisations offering support.
Manchester Diocese recognises and understands that some people, who have suffered abuse from within the Church, do not feel safe in disclosing their experience to Church officers. As a result, the Church of England has set up a dedicated helpline (0800 802020), operated independently from the church by the NSPCC.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser can also be contacted directly with any concerns.
CONTACT DETAILS OF THOSE OFFERING SUPPORT:
Abbey Clephane-Wilson, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: 0161 828 1451; AbbeyClephane-Wilson@manchester.anglican.org
NSPCC church helpline: 0800 802020
Rape Crisis England & Wales (women and girls): 0808 802 9999
The National Male Survivor Helpline: 0808 800 5005
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis (women and girls): 0161 273 4500; help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
Survivors Manchester (men and boys): 0161 236 2182; support@survivorsmanchester.org.uk
For those concerned about their own behaviour, past or present, Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900; or email info@stopso.org.uk which is able to direct to local support.