Ex-church minister who admitted child sexual abuse to BBC still free years later – BBC

Report on Sexual Abuse Allegations within The Truth Church

Introduction

This report addresses the sexual abuse allegations involving Robert Corfield, a member of The Truth church, also known as the Two by Twos. The case highlights critical issues related to child protection and the importance of safeguarding within religious organizations, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Background

1. Robert Corfield admitted to the BBC that he sexually abused a boy named Michael Havet during the 1980s.
2. Corfield’s name was among more than 1,100 reported to a dedicated hotline established to report sexual abuse within The Truth church.
3. The church operates without an official name but is commonly referred to as The Truth or the Two by Twos.

Significance in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The abuse cases emphasize the urgent need for mental health support and protection for survivors of sexual abuse.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Addressing sexual abuse is crucial to promoting gender equality and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The establishment of a hotline and public reporting mechanisms reflects efforts to strengthen institutions and promote justice and accountability within religious communities.

Conclusion and Recommendations

1. Enhance safeguarding policies within religious organizations to prevent abuse and protect children.
2. Support survivors through accessible mental health services and legal assistance.
3. Promote transparency and accountability by encouraging reporting and independent investigations of abuse allegations.
4. Align organizational practices with the SDGs to foster safe, inclusive, and just communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article discusses sexual abuse, which is a critical issue related to gender-based violence and the protection of vulnerable individuals, aligning with SDG 5’s aim to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The issue of sexual abuse within an institution and the reporting mechanism (hotline) relates to promoting justice, accountability, and building effective, accountable institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 5 Targets
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
2. SDG 16 Targets
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

1. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months. Although the article does not specify data, the reporting of abuse cases implies monitoring this indicator.
2. Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation. The hotline reporting sexual abuse cases can contribute to data collection relevant to this indicator.
3. Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms. The existence of a hotline for reporting abuse is directly related to this indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com