The independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by the late John Smyth has been published today.
In response, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford has issued a statement.
Statement on the Makin Review from the Bishop of Guildford
“I was grateful to receive an early copy of Keith Makin’s Review last Monday, along with other UK victims of the abuse perpetrated by John Smyth. That has given me the chance to read the report before its full publication, which has been both an enlightening and a deeply harrowing experience.
“Some of what is in the Review I lived through myself, and these sections ring true to my memory and help to fill in some of the gaps. More I have learnt since the Channel 4 documentaries in 2017 and the subsequent book by Andrew Graystone. Still more was completely new to me, including most of the details of the thirty-five years from the time in early 1982 when I and a fellow victim first reported Smyth’s beatings to Mark Ruston.
“There is much here that is deeply shocking, especially the abuse of so many victims in Africa, following the disastrous decision of the Iwerne and Winchester College establishments to cover things up. As the Report outlines, those attempts were flawed from the start, and any idea that Smyth’s behaviour could be regulated was hopelessly naïve. Smyth’s combination of charm and menace, narcissism and manipulation, hypocrisy and violence, made him a very dangerous man indeed, and entirely uncontrollable by any normal means.
"I cannot speak on behalf of the other victims and wouldn’t presume to try. Some of them went through far worse than I did, and others have understandably found it hard to relate to someone who is simultaneously a victim and a senior representative of a church that has so badly let them down. I am aware of those tensions in myself too and have had very much to reflect on since 2017. Those reflections have fed into a determination to adopt a relentlessly victim-centred approach here in Guildford Diocese.
“I am especially aware that the Makin Review may stir up particularly deep feelings for some who read it, especially any victims of grooming and abuse themselves, who may have a similar story to tell. There is support available from a number of organisations.
“Above all else, though, I do want to express my deep sadness at all that has happened, and my admiration for those have doggedly persevered in having the truth told. The Report won’t make for easy reading for anyone involved: but it’s my hope and prayer that it might bring at least some measure of relief to Smyth’s victims – British and African, known and unknown – as well as providing salutary lessons as we redouble our efforts towards building a safer Church.”
Finding support
- If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
- Samaritans helpline-116-123.
- National Association for People Abused in Childhood- Supporting recovery for adult survivors of any form of abuse.
- Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre- A Guildford based charity working with victims and survivor of rape and/or serious sexual abuse.