A new scheme to support victims of clerical abuse by helping them access welfare and healthcare is to be rolled out nationally.Abuse survivors helped to create the programme, which is being piloted in the diocese of Hallam thanks to funding from a mystery Catholic benefactor.
The diocese plans to offer group support to survivors and their husbands, wives or partners and to appoint a "civic support facilitator" to offer practical help with welfare applications, financial difficulties and doctors' appointments.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) welcomed the scheme and said it would work with the Church to roll out a national version.
Peter Saunders, a spokesman for NAPAC, said the scheme would help to meet the long-term needs of victims and could restore trust in the Church.