Safeguarding concerns spark review
Review prompted by whistleblower raising concerns about aspects of safeguarding practice in BYM
Safeguarding consultants have concluded that there are no high-risk cases needing further investigation at Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), after thoroughly reviewing historic safeguarding folders.
The review was prompted by a whistleblower raising concerns about aspects of safeguarding practice in BYM and in local Quaker Meetings. BYM said that the concerns were taken seriously and a review commissioned. This was not in response to any particular incident or disclosure. It stressed: ‘Quakers are committed to making sure everyone is safe in the Quaker community.’
Paul Parker, recording clerk for BYM, said: ‘The protection of children in our Meetings and of those who come into contact with our worshipping communities, is driven by our aspiration to build safe, loving, inclusive all-age communities where all are heard, valued and supported. We welcome the helpful recommendations for improving BYM practice, which are largely in line with our existing Safeguarding Improvement Plan.’
An external safeguarding agency, Red Snapper, reviewed 162 case folders from the past twenty-five years, held in the library in Friends House.
Red Snapper concluded: there were no high-risk cases; twenty-five cases need to remain open and monitored; 139 cases can be closed.
Mark Mitchell, interim safeguarding officer for BYM, said: ‘This was a thorough review of both historic and more recent cases carried out by experienced safeguarding consultants. It is gratifying to note that out of the 162 cases reviewed, none was considered “high-risk”, meaning that incidents were effectively managed and the children and/or vulnerable adults involved are not at risk of harm. Quakers will not see this as cause for complacency however; across the UK we are continuing to review and improve safeguarding practices to build on this solid past performance.’
In addition, Quakers have contributed to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which opened in 2015.
In 2019 IICSA asked Quakers in Britain to make a statement for its investigation into religious organisations and settings. The request asked for information about Quaker safeguarding policies, procedures and approaches, including cases of child sexual abuse over the previous ten years.
Paul Parker affirmed Quakers’ intention to engage fully with IICSA and to be open and cooperative. BYM provided written statements but was not called to give evidence in person at the public hearing.
The final report from the IICSA’s investigation is anticipated in 2021 and Quakers expect to act on its recommendations.
