Reflections on 25 Years of Safeguarding

This article was first published in our biannual magazine, In Touch. You can download the whole issue for free today.

Twenty-five years ago, the idea of safeguarding in churches was barely on the radar. Today, it is one of the most scrutinised areas of ministry, shaped by high-profile cases, new laws, and shifting cultural awareness.

The past quarter-century has brought rapid and extensive changes in safeguarding practice. As we entered the new millennium, few could have predicted the pivotal events and reforms shaping today’s safeguarding landscape. Reviewing these developments within churches and faith-based charities is both timely and necessary. While child protection was gaining attention in non-public sectors before 2000, this period saw increasing UK government focus on safeguarding within voluntary and faith organisations. This article examines key changes, the current landscape, and future considerations.

Safeguarding children

The legal framework for child protection has evolved since the 1945 Dennis O’Neill case, culminating in the 1989 Children Act, a cornerstone of UK safeguarding law. By the late 1990s, background checks for adults working with children gained prominence, leading to the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and later the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The 2000 death of Victoria Climbié prompted a public inquiry, leading to the 2004 Children Act. Key lessons included:

• The influence of harmful beliefs, such as the perception that she was demon-possessed.
• The failure of agencies to share critical information.
• The need for voluntary organisations to collaborate with statutory services.

Following the 2002 Soham murders, further reforms strengthened background checks, culminating in the 2006 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act. Today, DBS checks are routine in churches and charities, but they must be part of a comprehensive safe recruitment process rather than a standalone safeguard.

An increased focus on early intervention has led to tracking ‘low-level concerns’ – issues that do not meet the threshold for social care referrals but may indicate patterns of risk. This shift prioritises outcomes over rigid processes, enhancing proactive safeguarding.

High-profile abuse cases – including revelations involving Jimmy Savile (which came to light in 2012), the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church of England – led to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in 2014. Its findings continue to shape safeguarding policies across sectors, reinforcing accountability and survivor support.

Safeguarding in churches

Churches must acknowledge both the sinfulness of the human heart and the reality that abuse happens within Christian communities. They must consider how abusers ‘hide in plain sight’ and how organisational culture can enable abuse.

Modern safeguarding has been shaped by increasing awareness of:

• Child sexual exploitation.
• Gang-related abuse and county lines.
• Online risks, including social media.
• Violence against women and girls (including sexual harassment).
• Peer-on-peer abuse.
• Domestic violence.

The #MeToo movement, which emerged following allegations against Harvey Weinstein in 2017, highlighted the abuse of power – including within churches. This, along with the growing discussion on what is often referred to as ‘spiritual abuse,’ underscores the need for healthy organisational culture.

Scandals involving Save the Children (2015) and Oxfam (2018) have emphasised the importance of accountability and oversight. The financial collapse of Kids Company (2015) underscored the critical role of trustees. In response, the Charity Commission strengthened safeguarding expectations, requiring all charities – whether or not they engage in regulated activities – to implement proportionate safeguarding arrangements.

Further legislative milestones include the 2014 Care Act, which strengthened safeguarding for adults, and the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act, which expanded definitions to include coercive control. Churches must also consider trauma, mental health, and the impact of past abuse, seeking specialist input where needed.

Misapplications of safeguarding

While safeguarding is vital, its misapplication presents challenges. The idea that we must always believe the victim is well-intentioned but neither biblical (Deuteronomy 19:15) nor best practice. Allegations must be taken seriously and referred to statutory services or carefully investigated, but false or malicious claims, though rare, do occur. The case of Carl Beech, whose false abuse claims led to a costly police investigation, highlights the need for impartiality and due process.

Safeguarding principles are also being misapplied beyond their legal scope, particularly concerning adults. The Care Act distinguishes between ‘adults with care and support needs’ and those at risk of abuse, yet safeguarding is increasingly invoked where no legal basis exists. In some cases, it is even weaponised to serve unrelated agendas. Justice requires both protecting the vulnerable and ensuring fair treatment for all, with safeguarding remaining a tool for protection, not control.

Building an effective safeguarding culture

This article has explored key safeguarding developments over the past 25 years. Our understanding has grown, recognising that child abuse often overlaps multiple categories and that safeguarding extends beyond children. Some adults meet statutory thresholds, while others may be vulnerable but not legally classified as at risk. Churches and charities also have a general duty of care to all they engage with.

Our perception of perpetrators has evolved. While abuse was once thought to be committed mostly by men against children, we now recognise that adults can abuse adults, children can harm peers, and some young people transition from victim to perpetrator. These complexities have led to an ever-growing safeguarding framework.

To build an effective safeguarding culture, organisations must:

• Think biblically – Scripture sets higher standards than the state.
• Recruit staff and volunteers carefully – Implement robust, proportionate recruitment processes.
• Provide ongoing training – Equip staff, volunteers, trustees, and leaders at all levels.
• Ensure accountability – Support and challenge staff to uphold safeguarding principles.
• Set and review clear standards – Maintain high standards of conduct and process.
• Identify and manage risks – Understand and mitigate risks proportionately.
• Share information appropriately – Refer concerns and collaborate with statutory agencies.
• Foster a safeguarding culture – Encourage openness, constructive discussion, and accountability.

Safeguarding is not just about policies and procedures – it is about creating a culture of care, wisdom, and accountability. We must ensure that our churches and charities are places of both welcome and protection.

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