Ampleforth Abbey Trust welcomes the final Report published today by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). We will now study carefully the recommendations of the Report to further develop safeguarding culture and practice across Ampleforth Abbey and to build on the significant changes which have already taken place since the publication of the investigation report into Ampleforth and Downside in August 2018.
These changes have included defining and upholding our safeguarding commitments to children and adults at risk, and to survivors; acting as though mandatory reporting of safeguarding allegations to the local authority were a legal requirement; offering to survivors apology, reparation and, as they wish, support; and establishing a reformed governance structure which includes professional safeguarding experts on the trustee body, in advisory panels and on the senior executive.
Ampleforth Abbey Trust accepts responsibility for past failings and expresses once again an unreserved apology to anyone who suffered abuse whilst in the care of our schools, parishes or other ministries. All sexual abuse of children and adults at risk is both criminal and harmful. We condemn without reservation any such crimes and the perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice.
We are committed to the highest possible standards when it comes to safeguarding and looking after those entrusted to our care.
For further contact, please telephone 01439 766099.