1. Training the Trainers The Past Cases Review (PCR) 2013 – Training those delivering CSS modules Ten themes
Explain the background of the training: Past Cases Review (PCR)/learning from it/Conference decisions.
Don’t get caught up in detailed discussion about the PCR; refer to the web link. 1

2. The voice of a survivor: “A candle is lit and it is no longer completely dark.”2

3. Learn lessons! Tasks of the PCR Identify all safeguarding cases
Review the Church’s historical response
Implement remedial action when necessary
and
Learn lessons!
The PCR had many purposes. Here, we are focusing on the lessons learned so far. 3

4. Responses 81% of active ministers responded*
33% of supernumerary ministers responded
2,566 responses reporting a safeguarding concern relating to 1,885 perpetrators/alleged perpetrators
* After further exploration and action this figure may be amended
Very quick background information about the PCR. 4

5. Level of risk identified
125 (25%) of case sample (503) have been referred to statutory agencies
61 have involved the police, with 6 ongoing police investigations
21 formal risk assessments were commissioned that have resulted in:
12 Covenants of Care and
6 other safeguarding measures
Very quick background information about the PCR. 5

6. Who are the perpetrators/alleged perpetrators?
200 (11%) Methodist ministers
276 (15%) Lay employees
129 (7%) Local preachers/worship leaders
Very quick background information about the PCR. 6

7. Categories of concern
Very quick background information about the PCR. 7

8. After the PCR report publication...
A deluge of additional cases:
several issues of bullying and harassment reported
responses from people who had left the church and weren’t aware of the PCR – very hurt.
More casework to complete and more learning.
After the publication of the Report, even more happened; more learning. 8

9. Since the PCR… BUT ALSO… continuing resistance What has changed?
Attitudes...
Recognition that things were not always done well in the past
A commitment to change
BUT ALSO… continuing resistance
Things have changed, just as in society generally there have been changes since the revelations about high-profile abusers. However, whatever safeguarders know (Connexional Team and DSOs; District Safeguarding Groups, circuit and church safeguarders), there is still resistance.
Although the PCR focuses on the past, the work done on cases has revealed much about present understandings and attitudes. The 10 themes draw on both. It is important that the relevance for NOW is appreciated. 9

10. Ten learning themes from PCR
It’s about what we have learnt about safeguarding and how it is responded to in the Church.
It’s not about different types of abuse. 10

11. For each theme Try to identify:
how you might use this to enhance your delivery of the Foundation/Leadership module training
how the theme links to the topics covered in the Foundation/Leadership modules.
A possible task for people in small groups as you go through the themes. 11

12. Theme One Recognising possible abuse
Behaviour which might be of concern is still not recognised.
In particular, behaviour which is potentially grooming behaviour, is not recognised.
Patterns of worrying behaviour are not recognised.
Hence
relevant information is not always shared
behaviour can be minimised.
This has relevance for both FM and LM - the first of the 4 Rs: Recognise.   
Key issues:
worrying behaviour is minimised
people find it hard to raise issues
it’s hard for people in the Church to see the possibility of harm.
Behaviour which may be dangerous can be open to other interpretations. There is a tendency in the church to:
only see the best
be relieved that police are not proceeding
not appreciate that the behaviour still poses a risk.
Possible link to
Hear no evil, see no evil:
Understanding failure to identify and report child sexual abuse in institutional contexts
Munro E and Fish S
SCIE /LSE 12

13. Theme Two
The impact of abuse on those who have been harmed is huge. It is deep and lasting... …and there are people in church congregations who have been harmed in the past, whom we won’t know about.
This is an issue about which the Church is still learning. There will be a new section of the LM exploring this in more depth.
The PCR caseworkers have time and time again been reminded of the huge pain of those who harmed.
(Possible link to the programme Abused broadcast where the survivors of Jimmy Savile abuse had a voice)
Reminder that we can’t make assumptions about people who are in the groups being trained. 13

14. Theme Three
Abuse which has occurred in the church setting is even more distressing and a devastating breach of trust. And... there is still ‘blaming’ of the victim.
These experiences also could be named as spiritual abuse - now we have greater awareness of this. This could be linked to the new material in the FMs on spiritual abuse.
Additional reference if needed: Oakley A and Kimmond K. (2013), Breaking the Silence on Spiritual Abuse, Palgrave /Macmillan.
Sometimes survivors do have difficulties as a result of the harm done to them – and there can be a mistaken tendency to dismiss them for that reason. 14

15. There is a need for the further development of listening skills.
Theme Four
There is a need for the further development of listening skills.
This links more to the LM where Section 5 focuses on listening. There can be an assumption that ministers, youth workers and others in the Church have the ability to listen well and in a way that is open to hearing about harm done in the Church. The PCR workers have found that we cannot assume this. 15

16. Theme Five
People in the Church are still not responding effectively to serious situations:
well-meaning people can be naive
‘lone safeguarding ranger’
ministers can be very anxious about safeguarding.
This links to LM (Section 5) where the importance of responding appropriately to serious situations is emphasised and guidance given.
People in the Church can have kind motivations and not think through the wider implications of their giving references.
The key message of the FM is that there is always someone with whom you should share your concerns. Safeguarding is about working together.
 It is not acceptable for individuals to make their own assessment of risk.
Significant evidence has been lost as a result of not sharing. Having the evidence could have led to further offenders/survivors being traced.
Reminder of the FM 4 Rs:
Recognise
Respond
Record
Refer 16

17. Theme Six
People find it difficult to put respectful uncertainty into practice. It is difficult to recognise that those who are colleagues and friends, and who have done good things, can also do harm.
In Section 5 of the LM there is material on ‘respectful uncertainty’.
These examples could be used when delivering this part of the LM to illustrate how difficult it is to hold doubts and suspicions as well as valuing and respecting someone. 17

18. Theme Seven
Responding well to the church congregation in difficult safeguarding situations continues to be a challenge.
This links to Section 5e: Responding Well to the Congregation.
These are examples of split congregations.
The LM suggests some ways of understanding this and enabling the congregation to move on. 18

19. Theme Eight
Recording: Practice has improved but record keeping is still not consistent enough.
In the PCR there were many, many examples of records not kept.
This links to
FM the third R (Record)
LM Section 6
There will be a short training module available on safeguarding recording for use with groups in districts and circuits (in autumn 2016). 19

20. Theme Nine
Referral: Effective working with other agencies still requires development.
Despite
Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility
and
Working Together...
We know that it is not always easy to work with the statutory authorities because of a lack of understanding of safeguarding within the Church. At LM level many people should feel confident to:
liaise with professionals in the statutory authorities
be persistent if the response is not satisfactory
educate about safeguarding in the Methodist Church. 20

21. Theme Ten
There has been, and remains, insufficient understanding of the significance of safeguarding concerns about those who hold leadership roles in the Methodist Church.
This is relevant both to those attending the FM and the LM. It is about the challenge to welcome and nurture those who present a risk, while ensuring the Church is safe, and about the importance of leadership.   
People outside the Church expect it to be a safe space for them and their families.
Hence anyone taking a leadership role should both
always act safely
be a good role model. 21

22. Activity For each theme, identify:
how the theme links to the topics covered in the Foundation/Leadership modules.
how you might use this learning to enhance your delivery of the Foundation/Leadership module training.
An opportunity to ask the group how their learning might impact on their delivery of Creating Safer Space training. Maybe take one issue from each participant. 22

23. Prayer and reflection
Trainers can use the prayer which seems most appropriate. The prayer printed in the Trainers’ Notes was written for the Past Cases Review. 23