Yet more green lights for abusers, and fat up yours to victims. This is outrageous... Church of England has rejected a fully independent safeguarding model, opting instead for a watered-down plan that keeps existing safeguarding officers in place, a so-called short-term solution with 'promises' of full independence later. Child safety expert Professor Alexis Jay, who long called for an independent model, said: "It will be devastating for victims and survivors, whose trust and confidence will absolutely not be restored as a consequence of the decision. In fact, it is more likely to alienate them." Lucy Duckworth from the @survivorstrust added: "It is a devastating blow, not just for the victims and survivors of clerical abuse but for the one million children who attend the 4,600 schools under the Church of England's power today. This is a shameful disregard for the lifelong suffering that their employees and clergy have caused. I feel really let down, speaking both as a survivor of clerical abuse as well as a campaigner and policy adviser who represents survivors." Andrew Graystone, a victim and survivors' advocate, described the decision as "a punch in the gut for victims and survivors of church abuse" and accused church leaders of "shocking arrogance." This rejection of a fully independent safeguarding model, in light of the Church's long history of cover ups and failure to protect those at risk, is a damning reminder that the institution continues to protect its own instead of placing the safety and dignity of survivors first. ➡️ bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98y…