News: Church to take major steps in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

• Apology to survivors and victims of abuse  here

Today the Methodist Conference has vowed to make significantchanges to its policy and procedures in a move to make the Church asafer place for all. This follows the publication in May of anindependent review of past safeguarding cases related to the Churchfrom 1950 to 2014.

The  Past Cases Review identified 1,885 past cases, whichincluded physical, emotional, domestic and sexual abuse as well ascases of neglect. In approximately one quarter of these cases,church ministers or lay employees were identified as theperpetrators or alleged perpetrators.

The Conference discussed the findings of the Review andappointed an implementation group to take forward the report's 23recommendations. Former Barnardo's Deputy Chief Executive  Jane Stacey, who led the independent review, has been appointedas a member of the implementation group, which will be chaired bythe Revd Gwyneth Owen.

"The Past Cases Review has undoubtedly been a wake-up call forthe Church, and one we cannot ignore" said Revd Owen. "Therecommendations of the report are many and wide-ranging but at theheart of it all lies the need to bring about significant culturalchange. Safeguarding is not just something that is done byspecialists. It cannot be reduced to criminal records checks andstaff training programmes. Safeguarding is everyone'sresponsibility and each one of us has a duty to do what we can tomake the Church a safe place for everyone."

The recommendations include improvements to record keeping andstorage, a review of all current safeguarding training materialsand the identification of further resources to support victims andsurvivors of abuse. One of the most urgent concerns highlighted bythe recommendations is the need for greater levels ofaccountability and supervision, as well as a formal code ofconduct, for ministers. Additionally, selection criteria for seniorchurch positions will be developed to include awareness of andability to deal effectively with safeguarding issues. Until theMethodist Church has more robust accountability processes in placeand fully operational, there will be an annual independent audit ofprogress on the recommendations.

Addressing the Conference, General Secretary the   Revd Dr Martyn Atkinsreiterated the Church's apology for thefailure of its current and earlier processes fully to protectchildren, young people and adults from abuse inflicted by someministers and members of the Methodist Church.

"It is essential that we recognise the failings of the past," hesaid. "However, without a commitment to change and the willingnessto take the hard steps to achieve that change, we know that anapology alone could never be enough. This is the challenge thatlies before the Church today and will be a continuing challenge forus for many years to come."

Outside the Conference hall a group of volunteers invitedConference members to engage with  'Broken Biscuits' - a visual response to the Past CasesReview. The installation comprised a display of 1,885 brokenbiscuits on 19 canvases, symbolising the 1,885 cases identified bythe review.

Read the report on the  Implementation of the Past Cases Review.