O/t - Church of England

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Originally Posted by mellowmiller

I think that's spot on and the abusers are often the type of people who can afford the most expensive lawyers and there'll always be someone in that profession who is prepared to defend them no matter how heinous the crimes are.
Money first, morals......what are they?

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Do you mean how heinous the allegations are? Absolutely. I have represented people who were accused of doing some horrendous things. Some were found guilty and some were acquitted.

Everyone is entitled to defend themselves, no matter how appalling the allegations against them. That’s justice.

Sadly, I know of lawyers who have received hate mail and death threats for doing their job. There is usually a reference to money in the material they receive, as thought they should work for free.

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Originally Posted by KerrAvon

I broadly agree with that. There is material to suggest that Saville cultivated a relationship with officers from the West Yorkshire police that resulted in some of the limited number of complaints made in his life time to be dismissed without a proper investigation.

Wealth also allows people to instruct lawyers who can threaten potentially catastrophic legal action against anyone who puts their head above the parapet.

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This is how Fayed got away with it which highlights your point about the ability of wealth to deny complaints coming to light .


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8ejd9l00lo

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Originally Posted by Jocksgloves1

Not much room for a discussion there, but I respect your opinion. We'll have to agree to disagree.

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I'm perfectly happy to view any evidence that a supreme being created a planet, and the various sea parting escapades since, but it seems futile to discuss otherwise.

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Originally Posted by KerrAvon

How is it childish, Ulley?

Your argument isn't about the difference between guns and knitting needles. You seem to be saying that being shot in a church is more 'dangerous' than being shot in a school. There's no logic there at all that I can discern. Just prejudice based upon your obvious dislike of religion.

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Your logic was that I'm dismissive of the existence of other arenas for abuse to happen, which is untrue and regressive. You're also implying that having issues with religion somehow diminish my ability to discuss an issue.

The logic remains that:
The Catholic Church alone (as one example) has hundreds of thousands of abuse complaints/cases.
Religions continue to operate in as opaque a fashion as possible to protect their reputations.
Religious groups are well documented as regularly shifting the problem rather than properly dealing with it, creating an ever-growing hierarchy of enablers.

Even in 2024 I would be concerned about the mental state of anyone who thought a reported abuser would be in more of a bind within an organised religion than in a school.

The culture hasn't moved on.

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Originally Posted by Eternal Optimist

Not St. Bede's was it?

I can tell you some tales if so...

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No, wrong one.

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Originally Posted by KerrAvon

Smyth's activities were made public after an investigation by journalists from Channel 4. That prompted the investigation commissioned by the Church of England, the outcome of which caused Welby to resign.

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In a sense you're right, but the publication of the report was delayed on 15 occasions. Whether it was publication of the report or a combination of lack of support from the bishops or public opinion, is arguable.

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Originally Posted by animallittle3

I think that's more to do with the victims - survivors coming forward after their abuser has died which was the case with Jimmy Seville and recently Mohammed El - Fayed .

Their wealth and fame often provides a protective ring around them and I dare say the authorities lack enthusiasm to investigate any allegations with real intent .

That kind of environment wouldn't be easy for any victim - survivor to come forward whilst also dealing with trauma or mental health issues they may have because of their very unfortunate experiences .

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For "authorities" substitute 'Establishment'.