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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Harriet Sherwood

C of E votes against full independence for safeguarding against expert advice

Abuse survivor Craig Freedman, right, holds a protest banner outside Church House in Westminster, London, on 11 February, 2025
Abuse survivor Craig Freedman, right, holds a protest banner outside Church House in Westminster, London, on 11 February, 2025 Photograph: Aine Fox/PA

The Church of England has decided to hold off on full independence for its safeguarding operations in a move that is likely to dismay victims and survivors of abuse and falls short of expert advice.

Its ruling body, the General Synod, voted overwhelmingly to transfer most national safeguarding staff to an independent body, but to delay a parallel move for local staff until “further work” had been undertaken.

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