Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved. [Churches Child Protection Advisory Service]
This article examines recent trends and influences within the church in the UK in the area of child protection. Due to the significant growth of independent Christian gatherings, it can be seen that ‘church’ in the 21st century comprises not only the traditional denominations but also faith groups, congregating in conventional church buildings and transient meeting places. As we will see these trends have raised new issues in terms of effective child protection, but whatever the tradition, it continues to be the case that every church has a vital role to play in safeguarding children.
It may be stating the obvious, but the Christian church is not one single organisation. Although many of its foundational beliefs are comparable, it is nevertheless made up of a multitude of diverse and different groups that operate across the whole spectrum of society. Bodies such as Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, the Free Church Federal Council, the Evangelical Alliance and the African Caribbean Evangelical Alliance operate as coalitions representing some of these individual groups, but none speak on behalf of all.
In addition, it is not uncommon for an independent church to be formed in somebody’s front room today, be meeting in a warehouse tomorrow or perhaps cease to exist altogether. Such groups are often isolated from other churches and networks, and can be extremely difficult to locate in order to disseminate any sort of child protection message. The same sort of fragmentation exists in all faith groups.
Developing Child Protection Policies in Churches
Following publication of Safe from Harm (Home Office) in 1993, the historic church denominations began developing formal child protection policies. Today most have designated child protection officers with varying degrees of child protection experience, responsibility and influence. The Church of England, for example, has a National Child Protection Adviser as well as a Bishop’s Adviser for each Diocese. A similar arrangement operates within the Roman Catholic Church, but most other denominations have a named individual centrally. Many newer and independent churches (and some denominations) have adopted policies based on a CCPAS model contained in our comprehensive child protection manual, Guidance to Churches, which over the years has had a strong influence on policy formation across the church and other faiths. In Peter Brierley’s study it was discovered that 73% of all church leaders knew about Guidance to Churches, whilst 25% were using CCPAS as a main source of child protection information. From those who contact our helpline, it is clear that as churches develop such policies they also grow in their ability to identify and respond to the needs of children at risk.
The Charity Commission requires churches and organisations working with children and young people to adopt child protection policies before granting registration, and they are often referred to CCPAS to aid this process. These requirements and insurance company expectations make it more likely these days that child protection policy issues will be addressed by churches sooner rather than later. CCPAS places a significant emphasis on the safe recruitment of workers, support, training and reporting procedures. This also includes ‘whistle blowing’ clauses enabling individuals to raise issues outside the church or organisation if the internal response has been inappropriate or insufficient. CCPAS also stresses the need to publicise policies, procedures and helpline numbers to all, including children. Through live seminars and distance learning resources, CCPAS provides quality training (to an estimated 40,000 people each year) which is readily accessible to any church or group.
The benefit of telephone helplines should not be under-estimated. Church representatives, children, victims and others can be reluctant to contact the statutory services initially. CCPAS helps individuals to report concerns appropriately and, if needed, provide on-going support to those involved.
The Church as a Service Provider
Apart from schools, the church probably works with more children than any other organisation. The church therefore has a duty to ensure the protection of all children in its care including vulnerable children and young people, some of whom will be victims of abuse or regarded as being ‘in need’ under s.17 Children Act 1989.
Churches also have a ‘social services’ function. In many communities, people turn to the church first for help, advice and support, especially when health and social care agencies are not able to meet a specific need. Black majority churches in particular have an excellent track record in this area. Help from churches is also available during evenings, weekends and bank holidays, when other agencies are closed.
It is a fact that some people approach churches for help due to a mistrust of the statutory agencies. This is particularly true of churches serving minority ethnic communities and those on the margins of society. It will inevitably include vulnerable children and their carers who have limited or no contact with formal agencies. CCPAS always emphasises the responsibility of church leaders to pass on any child protection concerns to the appropriate investigating authorities and also, where appropriate, encourage parents and young people to make contact directly. However, churches often provide much-needed day-to-day support from their own resources. It follows therefore that churches should consider themselves, and be considered, part of the local child protection network and maintain close links with statutory agencies.
Particular Concerns
An important strength of CCPAS is that it has no allegiance to a particular denomination, church structure or faith group. This independence enables it to respond without compromise on behalf of children and survivors of abuse and, if necessary, challenge a church or faith group’s decisions or practices. Although CCPAS is an important resource to the independent churches, statistically most of its work is in the established denominations because of their size. This includes support to denominational child protection officers in policy development, training and advice in particular cases. CCPAS also supports victims of abuse who may feel unable to go to their church or the local statutory services. It is important that CCPAS is able to mount such challenges and provide support independently, especially in light of some of the concerns outlined below.
‘Closed’ Churches and Groups
As in other communities, there are exclusive churches and sects that appear closed to the outside world. Such institutions raise particular concerns in identifying children at risk. They include:
CCPAS engages regularly with these groups, where it can, to seek a change of attitude and will often advise statutory agencies in relation to particular investigations.
Churches and Sex Offenders
From our work with statutory agencies CCPAS is aware that in some areas 50% of known sex offenders attend a place of worship regularly. In many situations (but not all) it is possible to supervise offenders attending a church or faith group by setting clear boundaries as part of a written agreement. CCPAS has a model contract, which, according to Peter Brierley’s research, some 83% of churches in England are using where there are known offenders in the congregation. Such a contract is based on the provision of supervision and pastoral care to the offender; contact with the police, probation and any other agencies involved; and linking with any MAPPA arrangements.
Faith and abuse
The relationship between beliefs and abuse is one that cannot be ignored. For example, an Anglican lay reader (also a GP) who recently attended one of our conferences said that the procedures for dealing with an allegation of child sexual abuse were ‘non Christian…and sneaking to the authorities’, and quoted bible references (out of context) to support his argument. There are also other more horrific cases of religion or belief being used out of context to justify abuse such as the case of Victoria Climbie and, more recently, ‘Child B’ who was systematically abused by her carers because they believed her to be a witch.
Whilst it is not generally the role of safeguarding agencies to judge culture or belief, clearly there are some beliefs and practices that have to be challenged. The publication, Safe and Secure, contains clear child protection guidance within a faith context. Recently CCPAS provided a day’s child protection training in London for 230 Congolese pastors addressing concerns raised in the case of ‘Child B’. Clearly, CCPAS is in a better position to tackle these issues than a statutory body, though it is vitally important that agencies do not apply different thresholds in these circumstances.
Should Churches be Regulated?
In a final submission of Phase 1 of the Inquiry into Victoria Climbie’s death, her parents’ Counsel called for statutory regulations for churches. Margot Boye told the Inquiry:
‘Having heard the evidence from several churches, it cannot be left to the churches to take on a welfare and childcare role… If some sort of statutory regulation is not looked at there can be little doubt that some churches and religious institutions will continue to act in a manner that is totally at odds with the child’s welfare.’
CCPAS does not believe that this proposal is workable or that it is necessary. In the past, statutory procedures have not saved children such as Victoria Climbie or others who have suffered abuse and died. The majority of churches now understand the principles of their role in terms of child protection. The challenge is ensuring implementation.
However, this does not negate the need for the Government to set clear standards for all agencies, including faith groups. The DfES consultation paper Working Together hardly mentioned churches or faith groups. Following representations by CCPAS, the final version published in April 2006 contained definite expectations, with regard to policies and safe practice guidelines underlining the importance of churches and faith groups taking child protection seriously and having proper procedures in place.
Conclusion
The role of the church in our communities should not be underestimated, as for many people it provides a service in much the same way as statutory services. This means that while churches should not be singled out for statutory measures and regulation, they should be considered and included in legislation in much the same way as other statutory services. The traditional, mainstream Christian churches have managed to incorporate child protection successfully in most instances. However, there are still challenges for organisations such as CCPAS and the Government in terms of ensuring that harmful practices are identified and confronted in a sensitive and informed manner.
This article originally appeared in ‘Childright’ magazine in March 2006, published by the Children’s Legal Centre.
Written by David Pearson (CCPAS Executive Director)
