NEWS REVIEW

Domestic abuse ‘affects everybody’

The Duchess of Cornwall spoke out against domestic abuse at the launch of the 10th annual Women of the World festival in March. Camilla, who is president of the organisation, used the opening session of the three-day event in London to call for men to use their voices alongside women to raise awareness of the issue. She said this taboo subject should be brought out into the open and discussed. In February, the duchess said domestic abuse can affect anybody, regardless of social standing or wealth and implored those suffering to seek help. During the Coronavirus lockdown charities and police forces across the country have been warning of a potential rise in cases of domestic violence. The National Domestic Abuse helpline saw a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown. Campaigners have warned the restrictions could heighten domestic tensions and cut off escape routes. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the home secretary, Priti Patel said current restrictions telling people to stay indoors were even harder for people whose home is not the safe place it should be. “Whilst our advice is to stay at home, anyone who is at risk of, or experiencing, domestic abuse, is still able to leave and seek refuge. Refuges remain open, and the police will provide support to all individuals who are being abused - whether physically, emotionally, or otherwise,” she said.

Church call to Government to expand safeguarding definitions in faith settings

Thirtyone:eight has called for the government to expand the law regarding positions of trust to cover faith organisations and sports clubs. In a report launched on 28th January, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Safeguarding in Faith Settings, (of which Thirtyone:eight is the secretariat) warned that the current loopholes are leaving 16- to 17-year-olds exposed to greater risk of grooming and abuse, and making it possible for faith leaders or sports coaches to engage in sexual activity with them “with impunity”. The report, which calls for the Government to make ‘simple’ changes that will close current loopholes in the law, reveals that there is not just a need for the law to extend ‘positions of trust’ to any adult working with children while in a ‘position of trust’, but it also challenges previous claims that there is insufficient appetite to warrant such a change. From the evidence submitted to the inquiry from survivors, faith and religious organisations and the third sector, there is a clear consensus that the definition of ‘positions of trust’ needs revising. The call to change the law comes with the full backing of the major church groups represented in the United Kingdom including the Church of England, Catholic Church, Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed Church and the Quakers, along with other faith communities.

IICSA to continue hearing into Religious Organisations during Covid-19 pandemic

The public hearing, which started in March, aims to look into the current safeguarding practices of non-conformist churches and other religious groups in England and Wales. Public hearings and evidence will be used to review vetting and training procedures that exist and see if anything needs improving. The Independent Inquiry for Child Sexual Abuse had previously looked into the Church of England and the Catholic Church. Justin Humphreys, CEO for Safeguarding who has been giving evidence as part of the Inquiry, said “I think the established church, the Church of England in this country, has come in for the lion’s share of attention alongside perhaps the Roman Catholic Church and I think that is because of their long-standing history but also because they are probably the easiest to identify and to get a hold of because they are well-structured. I think the consequence has been that the nonconformist church, the Free Church traditions, have not come under the same level of scrutiny. It’s not acceptable to think that just because we are not part of the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church that we can work to a lesser standard.” IICSA, which had temporarily halted proceedings due the restrictions in place during the Coronavirus will resume the hearing via video conference in May.