The scheme was launched earlier this year to provide financial and practical support for survivors of church-related abuse.
But House of Survivors, a resource for survivors of Church of England related abuse and safeguarding, said that on Tuesday evening, an email sent to those who had registered interest in the scheme accidentally revealed names and email addresses of applicants.
Andrew Graystone, a long-time advocate for church abuse survivors, told Premier Christian News the situation is “deeply damaging and traumatising”.
“Some survivors have chosen not to tell their families, colleagues, or even close friends about their abuse. Now they fear their identities have been exposed,” he said.
“For some, it’s also a matter of safety. One survivor who had been abused by her husband, a priest, is now at risk because her email address has been made public.”
Graystone explained that anonymity is a legal right for abuse survivors, but also a vital part of their healing journey.
“This is incredibly intrusive,” he said. “It is frightening and retraumatising for people who were already badly hurt. And it’s a catastrophic failure for a Church that claims it is rebuilding trust.”
A Church of England spokesman told Premier on Tuesday night that it was made aware of the alleged breach on Tuesday evening, and the matter is being looked into “as a matter of urgency.”
As of Wednesday morning, Graystone said survivors had not been contacted directly by the Church.
He said the lack of communication makes the situation worse: “It’s now more than 14 hours since the leak, and nothing has been said publicly to those affected. Survivors were promised their details would remain confidential. That promise is now in pieces, and it raises the question who will ever trust the church with their story again?”
He also called for accountability at the highest levels, arguing that William Nye, General Secretary of the Church of England and lead officer for safeguarding, should resign.
“It’s worse than losing financial details,” Graystone said. “This is about people who have already suffered personal abuse, now exposed again by the very institution meant to protect them. It’s another hammer blow to trust, and evidence the Church cannot be trusted to manage its own safeguarding.”
Earlier this year, the General Synod, approved starting up the redress scheme in response to a series of abuse scandals.
It came after the Most Rev Justin Welby stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024, following a review which concluded he “could and should have done more” to ensure allegations against John Smyth were properly investigated.
Smyth, a barrister and lay preacher who died in 2018 before facing justice, exploited his church-based charity work to abuse at least 30 boys and young men.