Jane Chevous, an author and campaigner, was sexually abused by two Church of England priests over a ten-year period. It started when she was a young adult and only stopped when she moved. She had a mental breakdown. It was not only because of the abuse, she says, but also because of a lack of support from the church she trusted.

Her religion added a layer of complexity to what was happening, she explains. She was cared for by someone she believed was doing God’s work. “You’re told this is God’s calling and it’s what he wants,” she says.

In 2001, ten years after the abuse stopped, she reported it to two bishops. “It was absolutely terrifying. I had a hard time having any hope that I would be believed.”

A bishop suggested she meet her abuser to try to sort it out “because that’s the Christian thing to do”. The other, she says, told her to go to the police because he couldn’t do anything. Afterwards, her mental health deteriorated.

In 2019, she reported it again. This time a police investigation was underway, during which one of her alleged assailants died. She says the police concluded there was not enough evidence to take the case further. She is among a number of survivors who have asked the church to review their cases.

In the wake of the report into the abuse of John Smyth, the church has said it and its associated organizations must implement “robust safeguarding procedures … which are independently governed.” It also said “there is never a place to hide abuse.”

Jane has since co-founded a support and research group called Survivors Voices, set up to ensure survivors are listened to. She says that in many institutions there may be people who try to do the right thing, but too often they fail to listen to and protect vulnerable people.

She has also been appointed to the Church of England National Safeguarding Panel. “The church has fought to choose survivors,” she says, “instead it has chosen to protect the institution.”

This, she believes, is similar to other areas. “You are sacrificed for the good of society.”