Statement in Response to the John Smyth Review

We are appalled at the physical, psychological, sexual and spiritual abuse of children and young men perpetrated by John Smyth within the Church of England and associated organisations. This abuse was prolific and abhorrent. 

Our thoughts are with all the victims and survivors, who we recognise have carried and continue to carry the life-long impacts of this abuse. We recognise that apart from a few individuals, the Church of England and associated organisations have not listened well or responded well when they became aware of the abuse. This has added to the life-long impacts of the abuse by John Smyth leaving victims and survivors feeling unheard, unsupported and that their experiences have been invalidated and minimised. 

We commend the bravery of all the victims and survivors, and advocates who have worked on their behalf, to ensure this appalling, prolific and abhorrent abuse is brought into the light. We acknowledge the significant emotional cost of the actions taken by you, prior to the Learning Review being commissioned and in contributing to the Learning Review itself. We are also aware of the impact of the Report reaching the media prior to the agreed time and the lack of time this allowed for victims and survivors to read the Report, prepare and seek support prior to publication. 

We would also like to extend our solidarity to all victims and survivors of abuses within faith settings. Support and advice are available.

As an independent charity that supports all people who have experienced abuse and trauma within faith, we call for faith organisations and communities to implement appropriate measures and procedures to ensure that transparency, accountability and safeguarding are upheld to the highest standard. We call for all organisations and communities to ensure they are trauma-conscious and people centred in response to victims and survivors. 

Abuse and harm within faith, including Spiritual Abuse, is not specific to a particular community of faith. We urge all faith organisations to access, digest and implement learning from Learning Reviews and Reports within their own faiths and those of other faiths to ensure we are all aspiring to the highest standard in relation to transparency, accountability, safeguarding, trauma-conscious and person centred practice . 

As we continue to digest the learning from the Independent Learning Lessons Review John Smyth QC there may be the need for further comment.

At Replenished Life, we strive to ensure that every person who has experienced abuse and trauma within faith is heard and understood, that they receive quality support from organisations that are well equipped to provide it and that there is an awareness of what healthy faith looks like. Although we are not able to work with children and young people, our resources are for adults of all faiths and none. For more information please see our Support Services page.