Past Cases Review

The Past Case Review 2 (PCR2) independent review of files has now been concluded in the Diocese of Salisbury and the Deaneries of Jersey and Guernsey. The findings of the independent reviewer have been submitted to the National Safeguarding Team’s PCR2 Project Management Board and we have been informed that these have been accepted as the conclusion of the review in this Diocese. The PCR2 national report which will state the themes and recommendations arising from the review is expected to be published in late spring.

In 2007, the House of Bishops commissioned a large-scale review of child protection cases to identify individuals within the Church community who presented a risk to children. This became known as the Past Case Review (PCR) 2007-2009.

In 2018, an independent assessment report by Sir Roger Singleton was published and submitted to the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). This report highlighted shortcomings of PCR and made recommendations that all dioceses must carry out a further review to identify cases of concern and evaluate their safeguarding actions.

In response the House of Bishop's commissioned a Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) which is still underway across the country. This review is wider and includes incidents and/or allegations of abuse against vulnerable adults as well as children. Because survivor engagement was identified to be lacking in the original PCR, this review will also consider what sources of support have been offered to known victims and survivors.

Salisbury Diocese completed the PCR2 process in 2019 and since then the Deaneries of Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands have also completed their report in 2021.

If you have any questions about PCR2, or need any advice, please contact one of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors or for more information and/or guidance you can visit the Church of England website here.

To find out more about support within Salisbury Diocese for survivors and victims who have experienced abuse please click here.