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Church accused of abuse cover-up Church accused of abuse cover-up
(20 minutes later)
The Church of England has been accused of covering up child sex abuse carried out by a former choirmaster.The Church of England has been accused of covering up child sex abuse carried out by a former choirmaster.
Peter Halliday will be sentenced after pleading guilty to sexually abusing boys in Hampshire in the late 1980s.Peter Halliday will be sentenced after pleading guilty to sexually abusing boys in Hampshire in the late 1980s.
BBC News has learned he admitted to the offences 17 years ago but left the Church quietly on condition he had no more contact with children.BBC News has learned he admitted to the offences 17 years ago but left the Church quietly on condition he had no more contact with children.
The bishop who dealt with the case told BBC News it would have been dealt with differently if it had happened today.The bishop who dealt with the case told BBC News it would have been dealt with differently if it had happened today.
Dormitory abuse
In 1990 a young chorister at St Peter's Church, Farnborough, told his parents his choirmaster had abused him repeatedly during a period of several years, and he was not the only victim.In 1990 a young chorister at St Peter's Church, Farnborough, told his parents his choirmaster had abused him repeatedly during a period of several years, and he was not the only victim.
His parents told the vicar, who consulted the bishop - but rather than call the police the churchmen advised Halliday he should leave quietly and agree to have no more contact with young children.His parents told the vicar, who consulted the bishop - but rather than call the police the churchmen advised Halliday he should leave quietly and agree to have no more contact with young children.
The bishop, David Wilcox, said they had sought to act in the best interests not only of the Church but of the family and everybody concerned at the time. When your first sexual experience is a 40-year-old man forcing himself on you it's pretty horrific One of the boys Halliday abused
One of the boys Halliday abused, who was 10 years old at the time, told BBC News: "It was both when I was alone with him and there were others there.
"It happened in his house when I was alone with him having individual tuition, but it also happened on trips. It even happened when I was in dormitories with other boys.
"I was horrified. When your first sexual experience is a 40-year-old man forcing himself on you it's pretty horrific."
Terrified victim
He thought he had escaped Halliday when the choirmaster left his job in 1990, but he met him again in 1993 on a residential music course where young choirboys were staying.
The victim said: "I went on a residential course and he was there and obviously it was pretty horrific to see him again.
Things were very different then Bishop David WilcoxThings were very different then Bishop David Wilcox
He told BBC News: "The Church took firm actions in this case. "I was just aghast to see him there. Younger brothers of friends of mine were there. Other friends were there. I was scared for myself but also terrified for them."
"Things were very different then and I think that we make the mistake of trying to read back what we now know and how we would now do things. The bishop, David Wilcox, said they had sought to act in the best interests not only of the Church but of the family and everybody concerned at the time.
He told BBC News: "Things were very different then and I think that we make the mistake of trying to read back what we now know and how we would now do things.
"I don't think we had that knowledge or that experience and I don't think the court systems and the police systems were geared up as they are today.""I don't think we had that knowledge or that experience and I don't think the court systems and the police systems were geared up as they are today."
School work 'Robust policies'
However, Halliday continued to work with young boys, as a singer with the Royal School of Church Music. Halliday continued to work with young boys, as a singer with the Royal School of Church Music.
One of his former choristers saw him in 1993 at a residential cathedral course and told a member of staff, but no action was taken.
It was only when Halliday was charged last year with indecently assaulting children that he gave up his work with the school.It was only when Halliday was charged last year with indecently assaulting children that he gave up his work with the school.
In a statement, the Church of England said it was committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within the church community. They've always had this attitude of dealing with allegations internally The Reverend Pearl Luxon
Church of England national safeguarding adviser, the Reverend Pearl Luxon, who is responsible for child protection issues, said the Church had "robust policies in place".
She said: "In the past practices varied and we would not react in the way we would have appeared to have done then.
"Police and social services would be told of the matters immediately nowadays if these things occurred.
"These matters are always reviewed after they occur and we learn from our mistakes and our good practice is improved at all stages when these matters are looked at."
'Better systems'
Child abuse lawyer Richard Scorer said things were improving in the Church.
He said: "The Churches, both Catholic and Anglican, have not dealt well with child protection, certainly until very recent times.
"They've always had this attitude of dealing with allegations internally. I think that is changing but it has been a problem for many years.
He added: "Things are changing within the Churches in terms of child protection. Better systems are in place."
In a statement, the Church of England said it was committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within the Church community.