The problem of unproven, and often unprovable, allegations of serious crimes is an incredibly difficult one. If one relies solely on the criminal standard of proof large numbers of abusers will continue to operate in churches and schools and elsewhere, leaving a trail of wounded people in their wake. If one allows an allegation to stand unless disproven, or relies on the civil standard of proof, more abusers may be stopped, at the cost of ruining the lives of those falsely accused. I don’t know the solution to that, and I’m not sure anyone else does.
Sadly, due process is something the C of E doesn’t do well at all. The case of Anne-Marie Ghosh reminds me very much of the Alan Griffin case, in which another archdeacon was all-too-ready to believe speculation and gossip and to take action despite the lack of evidence.
In the case of John Brassington there was a great deal of evidence to disprove the allegation including the many changes in his story by the boy complainant. This was never considered by the Diocesan Safeguarding officer and Core Group because they were following the policy of ‘the child must be believed whatever they say, and any evidence to the contrary is inadmissible’.
The problem of unproven, and often unprovable, allegations of serious crimes is an incredibly difficult one. If one relies solely on the criminal standard of proof large numbers of abusers will continue to operate in churches and schools and elsewhere, leaving a trail of wounded people in their wake. If one allows an allegation to stand unless disproven, or relies on the civil standard of proof, more abusers may be stopped, at the cost of ruining the lives of those falsely accused. I don’t know the solution to that, and I’m not sure anyone else does.
Clear procedure, followed without fear or favour or shortcuts, is very important and protective to all concerned
Sadly, due process is something the C of E doesn’t do well at all. The case of Anne-Marie Ghosh reminds me very much of the Alan Griffin case, in which another archdeacon was all-too-ready to believe speculation and gossip and to take action despite the lack of evidence.
In the case of John Brassington there was a great deal of evidence to disprove the allegation including the many changes in his story by the boy complainant. This was never considered by the Diocesan Safeguarding officer and Core Group because they were following the policy of ‘the child must be believed whatever they say, and any evidence to the contrary is inadmissible’.
The link to the full determination provided by Stephen Parsons is essential reading to understand the jaw-dropping case of the female curate & her training incumbent determination-the-revd-anne-marie-marsh-22-july-2025_0.pdf