Church of England Synod Rejects Independent Safeguarding Model Amid Scandals

The Church of England's General Synod has voted against establishing a fully independent safeguarding body, a decision that has sparked outrage among sexual abuse survivors. Many representatives expressed their disappointment, describing the outcome as a 'punch in the gut' and indicating a preference for a model that would transfer all safeguarding officers to an independent body free from bishops' control. Instead, the Synod opted for a less independent model, which will keep some safeguarding officers within the Church while some staff will move to an outside body. Survivors and advocates, including Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, have called for government intervention, arguing that the Church cannot be trusted to manage safeguarding effectively. The decision follows a series of scandals that have eroded public trust in the Church, with critics asserting that the current system has failed to prevent abuse and has been marked by cover-ups. The rejection of a fully independent model has left many feeling that the Church is prioritizing its own interests over the safety and trust of its congregation.