Catholic schools hid 40-year abuse from police
Police were kept in the dark for decades about the true scale of sexual abuse at two leading Catholic schools, an inquiry report has found.
Children as young as 11 were abused at Ampleforth in North Yorkshire and Downside in Somerset over 40 years, according to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
Ten people, including Benedictine monks, have been convicted or cautioned in relation to the abuse – but the IICSA believes the true extent of offending will be much higher as both schools tried to cover up allegations against their staff.
Church officials were “secretive, evasive and suspicious” and avoided reporting the blatant abuse to the police service.
The schools have since issued statements apologising to the victims.
Inquiry chair Professor Alexis Jay said: “For decades Ampleforth and Downside tried to avoid giving any information about child sexual abuse to police and social services.
“Instead, monks in both institutions were often very secretive, evasive and suspicious about anyone outside the English Benedictine Congregation.
“Safeguarding children was less important than the reputation of the church and the wellbeing of the abusive monks. Even after new procedures were introduced in 2001, when monks gave the appearance of cooperation and trust, their approach could be summarised as a ‘tell them nothing’ attitude.”
The allegations regarding Ampleforth and Downside stretch back to the 1960s and include physical abuse, “much of which had sadistic and sexual overtones”, the IICSA concluded.
Its report, published on Thursday (August 9), found many perpetrators did not try to hide their behaviour from other children, which was facilitated by a wider culture of acceptance.
A 2001 report recommended all allegations of abuse from within the Benedictine Congregation, which managed the schools, should be referred to police – but many refused to do so.
Around 2012, then Downside headmaster Dom Leo Maidlow Davies burned files from the school, which the IICSA said adds to the perception of a cover-up.
And in 2016/17, letters were sent highlighting the presence of four suspected offenders at Downside, but these warnings were not forwarded to the local authority safeguarding lead.
A spokesperson for Ampleforth said: “The Ampleforth of today has never been afraid to learn difficult lessons. We remain completely focused on the safety and wellbeing of those entrusted to our care and our commitment to implement meaningful change.”
A Downside spokesperson said: “The Abbey and school fully acknowledges the serious failings and mistakes made in both protecting those within our care and responding to safeguarding concerns.
“We have reflected deeply and will continue to listen with ear of the heart going forward to ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated.”