In the letter published on Tuesday, the members say that they can no longer endorse the scheme, which was established to offer meaningful recognition to victims and survivors of Church-related abuse.
“We have borne endless delays, apologies, and changes in staff to try to deliver a satisfactory scheme,” they wrote. “We have repeatedly heard representatives of the church claiming that the scheme is being developed in collaboration with survivors. This is only partially true. In key areas and especially in recent months, we have not been consulted at all and, where we have been consulted, our views have not been taken into account.”
Among their concerns is that, under current proposals, survivors who need funding for therapeutic support will be required to submit to a fresh psychiatric assessment. The letter also suggests that the maximum award of £667,000 is “effectively impossible with the current tariff” and laments an apparent lack of work on restorative justice and accountability.
The scheme, first announced in 2020, is set to be launched “in the latter part of 2026”, according to the latest online information. Over the years, members of the advisory group have played a part in shaping the scheme, meeting twice a month and sending representatives to the scheme’s board. Over the summer, more than 40 potential applicants participated in engagement events, as the scheme is was being prepared for delivery.
On Wednesday, a Church House spokesperson expressed gratitude for the advisory group’s “time, experience, and expertise they have contributed” and said that survivor involvement had “played an important role throughout the scheme’s development”.
“The Church of England remains committed to delivering a Redress Scheme that acknowledges harm and provides meaningful redress for those who have experienced Church-related abuse,” the spokesperson said.
The scheme’s rules, approved by the General Synod in July, are still awaiting final parliamentary approval. An online FAQ states that, once this is complete, “there will be a period of time where we will need to finish preparing readying systems, staffing, and communications so that the scheme can be delivered effectively and responsibly.”