Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2)
The Church of England is conducting Past Cases Review 2. In 2008 every diocese in the Church of England was asked to commission an independent review of all their clergy and church officer files and take action on safeguarding concerns. Unfortunately, in some dioceses, these reviews were not all done as thoroughly as they should have been and so the House of Bishops asked every diocese across the country to undertake a further review. This time the scope of the review was extended to ensure that any risk from church officers to children, young people and vulnerable adults had been acted on appropriately.
In 2018 Bishop Martyn wrote to every parish and church setting, to check that all known safeguarding concerns about clergy and church officers had been reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding team.
Bishop Martyn said:
“As a Church we want to welcome all and listen to all. Survivors are a key part of PCR2 and must be heard. This review, and safeguarding generally, is an integral part of the diocese’s mission.”
There was a well publicised open invitation to anyone who wanted to make representations about their experience as a victim or survivor, to come forward with information or to make a disclosure regarding church-related abuse. Anyone who wished to do this was encouraged to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Rachael Spiers, on the number or email below.
Anyone wishing to report church related abuse, or who had been impacted by the PCR2 could contact Rachael Spiers, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser or Peter Holloway, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser on the numbers below.
The publicity also highlighted that anyone who did not feel safe to report concerns in this way could contact the National Safeguarding Team or a dedicated helpline operated, independently from the church, by the NSPCC.
Our report has been submitted and there will be more information about the outcomes of PCR2 nationally, locally, and published on these web pages in autumn 2022. The publication of the national report was delayed (see announcement from the Church of Englnd here) so publication of our dicoesan report will also be delayed.
Contact details for the Diocese of Leicester Safeguarding Team:
Rachael Spiers, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
T: 0116 261 5341 Rachael.Spiers@LeicesterCofE.org
Peter Holloway, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
T: 0116 261 5241 peter.holloway@leccofe.org
Information available to worshipping comunities throughout the PCR2 process (downloadable by clicking on the links below):
- Bishop Martyn's Letter to Parishes and Church Settings (17th Feb)
- What Do You Have to Do? For Parishes and Church Settings
- Theological Statement from Bishop Mark Sowerby
- Leicester Diocese Survivor Care Strategy
- FAQs for Parishes and Church Settings
- The safeguarding privacy notice can be found here
The diocese promited the PCR2 process to its worshipping communtiies throughout. Due to the impact of Covid-19, the deadline for completion of the PCR 2 return by churches was moved from 30 April to the end of August 2020. The news shared with the diocese in November 2020 can be found here.