From inception to delivery – overseeing the delivery of the Past Cases Review Report 2015

It is now ten years since the Methodist Church produced a report looking at all known cases of abuse from the previous 50 years and committed itself to taking action. Following over 2,500 referrals, many hours of professional casework were undertaken and common themes emerged providing the Church with an action plan to improve and respond appropriately to victims and survivors.

Over the next year, we will share monthly reflections on what this has meant for the Church. We are very pleased to begin this series with the Revd Helen Cameron, currently President of the Methodist Conference, and previously the Assistant Secretary of Conference, who chaired the Past Cases Review Implementation Group.

It is hard to believe that it is now 10 years since the report of our Past Cases Review was published. The progress in change of culture and practice within the Methodist Church has been significant in that time. I always want us to refer to the full title of the Report as a reminder of the cost to victims/survivors of church related abuse of sharing and re-visiting their trauma in order that we might improve our practice and attitudes as a Church. It was the courage of so many victims/survivors in speaking out which created a change of attitude. I can remember clearly the Conference of 2015 where I was appointed as Assistant Secretary of the Conference (the first woman to serve in this role) and the reception of the report and the public apology made to victims and survivors.

I rejoice that in in 2025 as I have travelled as President of the Conference, I hear people across the connexion speak of having just experienced an audit of their safeguarding practice as a District. When I see the expertise and wisdom of the Methodist Survivors Group being drawn on as policy is drafted and decisions made in the Methodist Church and when ministers say, “I will take that to supervision” I know that real change has been produced. There is much more to be done and I urge more of us to read and learn from another associated report, The Theology of Safeguarding.

The work of Jane Stacey, the connexional Safeguarding team and victim/survivors in writing a clear, transparent and honest account of past behaviours and our failings as a Church was immense. In accepting the Report, the Conference voted for all 23 recommendations which would require determination and commitment of resources to enact and I was glad to work with the Implementation Group in ensuring that all 23 recommendations were implemented in the life of the Church.

I have continued to listen to victims/survivors of church-based abuse and I want us as a Church to continue to give our best efforts and continued resources as we work to be the safer Church we know God requires us to be.

Helen Cameron
President of the Conference 2024-5, past Assistant Secretary of the Conference.