Survivors of abuse within the Church of England have, for decades, faced significant barriers when seeking justice. From internal safeguarding failures to institutional resistance to independent oversight, many survivors have felt silenced, disbelieved, or retraumatised by the very systems meant to protect them. Against this backdrop, David Greenwood has emerged as one of the UK’s leading legal professionals in Church of England abuse claims, combining legal expertise with long-standing advocacy for survivor-led reform.

Nationally recognised specialist in church abuse claims

David Greenwood is a Director and Solicitor at Switalskis and a nationally recognised specialist in child abuse compensation claims, particularly those involving large institutions such as the Church of England. For many years, he has represented survivors of clergy abuse, helping them navigate complex civil claims while challenging the institutional cultures that allowed abuse to occur and continue unchecked.

His work goes beyond individual cases. David is known for his deep understanding of how power, hierarchy and self-protection within institutions can obstruct accountability and delay justice. This makes him a trusted voice for survivors and a respected commentator on safeguarding failures within the Church.

Executive member of MACSAS

David is an executive member of Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS), the leading UK support organisation for women and men abused by clergy or others acting under the authority of the Church. MACSAS plays a vital role in supporting, signposting and advocating for survivors of clergy abuse, and David’s involvement ensures that his legal work remains firmly grounded in survivor experience.

Both of David’s books donate all royalties to MACSAS, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to supporting survivors beyond the courtroom.

Media commentary and public advocacy

David regularly appears in local and national media to discuss the impact of child sexual abuse, the barriers survivors face in coming forward, and the responsibilities of institutions such as the Church of England. His media work is informed by decades of frontline legal practice and close collaboration with survivor groups, allowing him to speak with authority, empathy and clarity.

He has been particularly vocal in criticising the Church of England’s safeguarding structures, including its resistance to fully independent safeguarding oversight. David has publicly addressed the Church’s failure to implement recommendations calling for safeguarding systems to be removed from internal control - a stance later echoed by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

A new Church of England Redress Scheme is being developed in response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). It will offer financial compensation, emotional and therapeutic support, and formal acknowledgment of the harm caused.

At Switalskis, our specialist abuse solicitors have been supporting survivors of abuse in religious settings for decades. We understand how difficult it is to come forward. Our promise to you is to listen, support and guide you through the process – safely and at your pace.

Challenging safeguarding failures at General Synod

In recent years, David has been closely involved in campaigning around the Church of England’s safeguarding decisions. Following the commissioning of Professor Alexis Jay to review Church safeguarding arrangements, David supported calls for complete operational and supervisory independence.

When the Church’s General Synod voted against full independence and disbanded the Independent Safeguarding Board, David joined survivors, including Matthew Ineson, in directly challenging Synod members to act in the best interests of survivors. He continues to advocate for meaningful reform and the full implementation of Professor Jay’s recommendations at future Synod meetings.

Author of leading books on church and institutional abuse

David Greenwood is the author of two influential books examining child sexual abuse within the Church and wider institutional cover-ups.

Basically Innocent?

David’s book “Basically Innocent?” focuses on child abuse within the Church of England and the scandal surrounding the former Bishop of Gloucester, Peter Ball. The book exposes not only Ball’s offending, but also the extensive establishment cover-up that allowed abuse to continue while survivors were silenced and discredited.

Peter Ball was sentenced in 2015 for offences against 13 individuals, following decades in which allegations were minimised or ignored. David’s analysis highlights how senior figures within the Church and wider establishment intervened to protect Ball, prioritising institutional reputation over survivor welfare. All proceeds from the book are donated to MACSAS.

Responding Badly: Church and Institutional Cover-up of Child Sex Abuse Allegations

Published in 2020, “Responding Badly: Church and Institutional Cover-up of Child Sex Abuse Allegations ” examines abuse from an institutional perspective rather than focusing solely on individual perpetrators. The book explores:

• The internal cultures and power dynamics of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches
• Legal and psychological barriers to reporting abuse
• Documented case studies of institutional cover-ups
• Failures within the criminal and civil justice systems
• Practical and achievable proposals for reform

The book argues that allowing institutions to police their own safeguarding has had devastating consequences, enabling abusers to evade accountability and leaving survivors without trust in reporting systems. David concludes that safeguarding must be handled by an entirely independent body, a position highly relevant to churches, schools, detention centres, children’s homes and youth organisations. All royalties are donated to MACSAS.

BBC documentary contributor

David has also contributed to a two-part BBC2 documentary examining the Peter Ball case, further establishing his reputation as a trusted legal authority on Church abuse, institutional accountability and safeguarding reform.

A survivor-led, reform-focused approach

What sets David Greenwood apart is his consistent, survivor-led approach. His legal practice, campaigning, writing and media commentary are all driven by a commitment to accountability, transparency and reform. He combines technical legal expertise with a deep understanding of the lived experiences of survivors, making him a leading professional voice in Church of England abuse claims .

If you or someone you care about has experienced abuse within the Church, specialist legal advice can make a crucial difference. Speaking to a solicitor with proven experience in church abuse claims can help survivors understand their options and take the next steps towards justice.

To speak with one of our specialist abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 138 0458 .