Church officials tried to persuade Dwayne to withdraw his statement about abuse by a clergyman
All names and identifying details have been changed.
Participants have given us permission to share their experiences.
The reverend who sexually abused Dwayne had recently arrived at his local parish church from a cathedral.
Dwayne later wondered if this transfer was part of a cover-up.
Dwayne’s father was very ill when he was growing up and his parents became increasingly devoted to their faith.
He was a member of the choir and an altar boy.
When Dwayne was about 11 years old, a new clergyman, Reverend Smith, joined the local church. He says this man had previously been at a well-known cathedral and had a reputation of being ‘excellent with the youth’.
About a year after he arrived, Reverend Smith organised a camping trip. Dwayne went along, and the clergyman sexually abused him during the night. There were other people in the tent when he did this.
After this, Dwayne was singled out as ‘a favourite’ by Reverend Smith, and he placed the boy in situations where he could abuse him. The abuse sometimes took place in the clergyman’s house, and sometimes in the church. Reverend Smith gave Dwayne the duty of holding the collection plate, and would give him some of the proceeds after abusing him.
Dwayne tried to avoid Reverend Smith by getting a job at the weekend so he couldn’t go to church. He says members of the congregation were very disapproving that he did this, but it halted the abuse. When Dwayne was in his mid-teens, Reverend Smith retired.
When Dwayne was 18 he told his parents about the abuse by Reverend Smith and suggested they should tell the police. His father said he was not surprised, but his parents decided to contact the church instead.
Two church officials visited Dwayne’s home to try to persuade him to retract his statement. There followed a meeting with other church officials, where he felt ‘completely alone and unsupported … the meeting was not about me but one strategy – how to keep the matter quiet’.
After this he took matters into his own hands and reported the abuse to the police. He says he was supported by a detective who believed him, and a court case followed. Reverend Smith was found not guilty, but Dwayne did feel some satisfaction from making him appear in court. He now hopes to receive reparation from the Church of England.
Dwayne has been diagnosed with PTSD, and takes medication for depression. He has felt confused about his sexuality and holds very strong negative feelings towards men, religion and his parents.
He believes that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse should seek compensation and hold the church accountable when the abusers are clergymen.
Dwayne feels his parents did not make his wellbeing a priority, possibly because they were focused on his father’s illness. He says that professionals should be aware that when parents are coping with significant stress, due to illness or similar challenges, the children may be vulnerable.
He emphasises that organisations that run children’s activities should have clear safeguarding policies and safeguarding officers in attendance.
Dwayne recently came across an old photograph of Reverend Smith receiving an accolade for his ‘outstanding contribution to the life and work of the Church’.
The picture had been taken around the time that the clergyman was transferred from the cathedral and sent to Dwayne’s local church. Dwayne says he has wondered whether the Church knew or suspected that Reverend Smith was an abuser, and that was why he was moved.