The scheme is intended to be open to anyone who has been abused by a person in a position of authority or trust within the Church of England, regardless of when the abuse occurred. This includes abuse perpetrated by clergy, lay staff, and volunteers.
A crucial aspect of the eligibility criteria, which is currently under review following the independent Makin report, is the extent to which the scheme will cover negligence by Church office-holders who failed to act on reports of abuse. The final details of the eligibility criteria are being carefully considered to ensure they are robust and fair.
Eligibility for the Church of England's National Redress Scheme Outlined
Individuals who have experienced abuse of any form by a person in a position of authority within the Church of England will be eligible to apply for redress under a new national scheme expected to launch in 2025. The scheme is designed to provide a range of support, including financial compensation, therapeutic services, and a formal apology, to survivors of abuse.
To be eligible to make a claim, an individual must have been subjected to physical, sexual, emotional, psychological (which includes spiritual abuse), financial abuse, neglect, or maltreatment. A key criterion is that the alleged abuser must have held a role within the Church of England, or the survivor had reasonable grounds to believe they did. Furthermore, a clear connection must be established between the abuser's role and the abuse that occurred.
The eligibility criteria are broad and are intended to be as inclusive as possible. Claims can be made regardless of when or where the abuse took place, and it does not matter if the survivor was a child or an adult at the time. There is no requirement for the abuse to have been previously reported to the police or for the abuser to have been criminally convicted. Claims can also be made even if the alleged abuser has since passed away.
For those in immediate and urgent need of support, the Church of England has an Interim Support Scheme in place. This provides short-term assistance while the final details of the comprehensive national redress scheme are being finalised.
The national scheme, once fully operational, will be administered by an independent body to ensure impartiality in the assessment of claims. The financial compensation offered will be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature and impact of the abuse.
