Emergency support for abuse survivor
Donation protected
The Church of England has acknowledged its failure to provide proper support and repair for survivors abuse by clergy. General Synod has promised to set up a new system of redress. But that's all a long way off for abuse survivors whose lives are in crisis now.
The Lead Bishop for Safeguarding has worked hard to persuade the Archbishops that there must be an interim fund to rescue those who are driven to the point of despair as a direct result of the church's abuse. But even that fund doesn't exist yet...if it ever will.
In the meantime, some survivors are desperate. This appeal will support one such. VB is a survivor of non-recent abuse by multiple church officers. The abuse is not in question, and nor is the impact on VB and their family over decades. It has been catastrophic. Nevertheless, VB has managed to build a small business generating enough income to keep their family.
Now, after a particularly bad period of depression, and in the midst of Covid, the business is within days of collapse. VB cannot wait for a redress fund. Help is needed RIGHT NOW. Specifically, £6,000 is needed to keep the business solvent over the coming two months. After that, perhaps the church's interim fund will be available. If we wait that long though, the business will be gone, and VB will be pitched further into crisis.
I am sending this appeal first to the Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England. I am asking YOU to take a lead. I don't expect you to raid diocesan funds for this. Instead, I am asking you, of your Christian charity, to make personal contributions to rescue VB, who was so deeply harmed by leaders in your own church. Please reach into your own pocket, and do it now.
If we haven't raised enough money within 48 hours to stave off the crisis, I will approach others in the church - starting with the members of General Synod who voted unanimously in favour of redress for survivors of church abuse.
Please be generous in paying this debt incurred directly by your fellow church leaders. Thank you for your help.
Andrew Graystone
PS If this appeal should raise more than is immediately required by VB, any additional funds will also be used to support victims of church abuse who are in financial crisis.
The Lead Bishop for Safeguarding has worked hard to persuade the Archbishops that there must be an interim fund to rescue those who are driven to the point of despair as a direct result of the church's abuse. But even that fund doesn't exist yet...if it ever will.
In the meantime, some survivors are desperate. This appeal will support one such. VB is a survivor of non-recent abuse by multiple church officers. The abuse is not in question, and nor is the impact on VB and their family over decades. It has been catastrophic. Nevertheless, VB has managed to build a small business generating enough income to keep their family.
Now, after a particularly bad period of depression, and in the midst of Covid, the business is within days of collapse. VB cannot wait for a redress fund. Help is needed RIGHT NOW. Specifically, £6,000 is needed to keep the business solvent over the coming two months. After that, perhaps the church's interim fund will be available. If we wait that long though, the business will be gone, and VB will be pitched further into crisis.
I am sending this appeal first to the Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England. I am asking YOU to take a lead. I don't expect you to raid diocesan funds for this. Instead, I am asking you, of your Christian charity, to make personal contributions to rescue VB, who was so deeply harmed by leaders in your own church. Please reach into your own pocket, and do it now.
If we haven't raised enough money within 48 hours to stave off the crisis, I will approach others in the church - starting with the members of General Synod who voted unanimously in favour of redress for survivors of church abuse.
Please be generous in paying this debt incurred directly by your fellow church leaders. Thank you for your help.
Andrew Graystone
PS If this appeal should raise more than is immediately required by VB, any additional funds will also be used to support victims of church abuse who are in financial crisis.
Organizer
Andrew Graystone
Organizer
England
