On 3 March 2025, Luke Myer MP led a debate in the House of Commons addressing safeguarding practices within the Church of England.
Representing the concerns of his constituent, Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, a campaigner and former survivor-advocate on the Church’s Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB), Luke Myer MP emphasised the urgent need for independent safeguarding mechanisms to protect victims and survivors of abuse.
This debate followed meetings Mr Myer had with victims and survivors and campaigners that provided powerful testimonies, which Mr Myer highlighted in his speech. He outlined the harrowing experiences of survivors who, after enduring initial abuse, faced further trauma through inadequate safeguarding processes. He noted that survivors often felt unheard and compelled to relive their trauma within an institution that should have been their sanctuary.
He stated:
“In preparation for this debate, I met members of the group of survivors involved with the independent safeguarding board sample cases, they call themselves the ISB 11. I have heard stories that I will never forget. What struck me most is that they see themselves as survivors not only of the initial abuse they received but of the Church’s safeguarding process, one that has forced these brave and courageous people, who have stood up to power, to re-live, lengthen and even amplify the abuse they have received.”
He further asserted:
“The treatment of survivors here is itself a serious safeguarding failure. It is clear that the secretary-general of the Archbishops’ Council has questions to answer.”
The debate also featured significant contributions from other Members of Parliament, and the Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Phillips MP.
The Minister responded affirmatively to the concerns raised, acknowledging the profound failures in the current system and expressing a commitment to drive meaningful change. She emphasised that victims and survivors deserve actionable reforms rather than mere expressions of regret.
Minister Jess Phillips stated:
“We need to move beyond lamenting and repenting; victims and survivors deserve real change.”
This debate follows a series of reports and reviews in the Church. The call for independent safeguarding operations, recommended by Prof. Alexis Jay, is seen as a crucial step.
Luke remains committed to advocating for robust and independent safeguarding mechanisms within the Church of England to ensure the protection and support of all individuals.
In response to the safeguarding debate, Dame Jasvinder Sanghera said:
Luke Myer is my local MP. One conversation compelled him to take the mantle and act. He has placed survivors at the heart of this debate, this is what every politician needs to follow.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- For a comprehensive understanding of the debate and the issues discussed, the full transcript is available here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-03-03/debates/99C58873-D3D8-440D-88BB-EDC46B0A8417/details#contribution-B187C50D-5804-4BF2-9966-B6EACFB6789D