Justin Humphreys, joint CEO of safeguarding charity thirtyone:eight, says safeguarding issues and/or bullying involving senior leaders remains widespread across the faith spectrum.
He told en: ‘The problem is far wider and deeper than we have seen so far, with undoubtedly many more cases yet to surface. But, despite some recent examples, conservative evangelicals do not have a worse problem than other parts of the church. Although abuse may manifest itself differently in different denominations, harm and abuse knows no boundaries.’
Humphreys was speaking in the light of news coverage relating to well-known Christian leader Mike Pilavachi, who resigned as a director of Soul Survivor in Watford after various allegations were made.
His stepping back from ministry was first confirmed by the Church of England National Safeguarding Team, the St Albans Diocese, and the Soul Survivor Watford trustees in April. Then, they said Pilavachi would cease to be a senior pastor while ‘non-recent safeguarding’ complaints were investigated. It also stated that ‘the police are not involved; this is not a criminal investigation and Mike has not been suspended. It is also not currently a clergy disciplinary matter’.
