The Diocese has continued to carry out the Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) work throughout the period of Covid restrictions and significant progress has been made in reviewing our clergy and Church Officer files and safeguarding records. This thorough and detailed review has been designed to identify and address any ongoing risks to children or vulnerable adults, and ensure that the support needs of known survivors of church abuse have been considered and met. To date, records relating to over 2,000 individuals have been reviewed. Although it was anticipated that this review would be completed by the end of 2020, this timescale has been extended and the completion of the review work and publication of the Final Report on the Review’s findings and recommendations is now planned for the second half of 2021. The deadline for dioceses to submit their report is December 2021, and the national report is expected in Spring 2022.
The Diocese is keen to ensure that individuals who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process or who wish to come forward with information or disclosures regarding church-related abuse have the opportunity to do so. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for anyone who wishes to contribute to this review and all information provided will be considered by the PCR2 Reviewers, who are independent of the Diocese.
Individuals are encouraged to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team directly if they are comfortable doing so. To assist those who may not be comfortable with direct contact with the Diocese we have also put in place an independent confidential helpline. A national PCR2 helpline, operated independently by the NSPCC, is also available.
More information on these contact routes can be found at https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/past-cases-review-2/
