August 28, 2025
The Church of England has admitted to a serious data breach that exposed the personal details of nearly 200 abuse survivors.
Religious and church abuse claims
We know that churches are often seen as places of sanctuary, community, and faith. When that trust is broken by abuse, the emotional and impact can be devastating. At Switalskis, we are here to support you through this difficult journey and help you seek justice.
Abuse by church leaders or anyone associated with the church can feel impossible to come forward about. Whether it happened recently or many years ago, we understand the courage it takes to speak out. Seeking justice for church child abuse is a brave step, and you don’t have to face it alone.
We provide more than legal advice, we offer a complete support system, creating a safe environment where you can share your story and take action. By coming forward, you could also help prevent others from experiencing similar abuse.
If you’ve experienced abuse in a church setting, whether recently or many years ago, you may be eligible to make a church abuse compensation claim. At Switalskis, we provide specialist support for survivors of church child abuse, helping you navigate the legal process safely and with care. Our team of experienced solicitors understands the complex emotional, psychological, and legal challenges involved, and we are committed to helping you find justice and peace.
For information on the Church of England redress scheme, visit our dedicated Church of England Redress Scheme page .
To speak to one of our specialist church child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.
When you're dealing with something as sensitive and complex as church abuse, you need more than just a legal team. You need a group of people who believe your story, genuinely care about your wellbeing and are committed to helping you find justice and peace.
From the moment you reach out to us, you'll find a safe, confidential environment where you can share your experiences without fear of judgement. We understand how difficult it is to talk about abuse in churches, and we're here to listen and support you.
Our team, led by David Greenwood , has extensive experience in dealing with the complexities of church abuse claims, including child abuse cases in the Church of England and the Catholic Church. We’ll explain your options for church abuse compensation in plain, straightforward language, so you can make informed decisions about your next steps.
Our solicitors have extensive experience handling abuse claims within the Church of England, the Catholic Church, and other religious institutions. We understand the unique legal and emotional challenges these cases present.
Cases involving abuse in the church often come with unique legal hurdles. You may need a strategy to protect your identity or deal with media attention, for example. We're experts in navigating these challenges and will take every precaution to safeguard your wellbeing.
Legal fees can be a concern, but we're completely transparent about costs from the start. We'll discuss our fee structure in detail, so you know exactly what to expect financially when seeking church abuse compensation.
We're not just here to take care of the legal aspects; we're also here to offer emotional support. We can connect you with additional resources and organisations that can help you heal and move forward if you need this kind of support.
Priests and other church leaders often have access to many people across the UK and beyond. Sadly, abuse can occur in a variety of settings, and we’ve supported clients who have experienced harm in places including:
No matter where the abuse happened, if you were harmed by a religious leader or someone connected to the Church of England, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for the suffering you’ve endured.
We have represented clients in relation to the following institutions:
If you have experienced abuse by a religious leader or anyone working within the Church of England, even if it happened many years ago as a child, you have not only been the victim of a serious crime, but you have also endured significant suffering. You have the right to seek justice and claim compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Similar to personal injury claims, both physical and injuries caused by abuse can be grounds for compensation.
Making a successful compensation claim can give you a sense of justice and help you move on. It can also help prevent further abuse. So, if you're ready to take that step, we'll support you.
If you, or someone you care about, have been affected by abuse in the Church of England, it’s important to speak with a lawyer who has specialist experience supporting survivors. When you feel ready to reach out, we are here to listen, guide, and support you every step of the way.
Navigating the legal landscape of church abuse compensation claims can be overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with emotional trauma. At Switalskis, we aim to make this journey as smooth as possible for you. Here's a detailed look at the process:
Our first meeting is a confidential, no-obligation chat where we'll listen to your story and discuss your experiences. This is a safe space where you can ask questions and get a clear understanding of your legal options for church abuse compensation. We'll also outline what you can expect in terms of time, costs and potential outcomes.
We'll assess the specifics of your case. This involves reviewing any evidence you have collected, identifying the additional evidence we might need and evaluating the legal routes available to you. We'll then provide you with a tailored strategy for moving forward with your church abuse claim, based on the outcome you want to achieve.
We'll guide you through the process of collecting all the necessary documents, digital records and witness statements. This may involve working with medical professionals for expert testimony or technology experts to retrieve online data related to the abuse you experienced.
Once we have all the evidence, we'll prepare your case for settlement discussions. This involves drafting legal documents, liaising with the opposing parties, and preparing you for any interactions you may have with them, especially in sensitive cases like those of child abuse in the Church of England or the Catholic Church.
Many church abuse claims are settled before they reach court. If a settlement is reached, we'll discuss the terms with you in detail, making sure you're comfortable with the agreement. If your case goes to trial, we'll advocate tirelessly on your behalf to seek the church abuse compensation you deserve.
Our support doesn't end when your case is resolved. We'll guide you through any further steps you may wish to take, such as making an appeal or pursuing additional legal actions. We can also connect you with resources for ongoing emotional and support.
If you have experienced sexual abuse by a religious leader or anyone connected to the Church of England, the first step is to report it to the police so they can carry out a full investigation. After that, it’s important to speak to a specialist lawyer who has experience in Church of England abuse claims. A specialist solicitor can help you seek compensation for the trauma you’ve suffered, as well as support you in accessing private treatment or additional services if needed.
We understand how difficult it can be to talk about such traumatic events. Our team is here to guide you, provide support, and give clear legal advice every step of the way.
Confidentiality is vital for survivors of Church of England abuse. As solicitors, we are bound by strict confidentiality rules. Anything you share with us will remain private.
In some cases, authorised individuals such as independent medical experts may need access to certain information, but only with your consent. Additionally, victims of sexual abuse have a legal right to anonymity. If court proceedings are necessary, we can take steps to protect your identity, ensuring you feel safe throughout the process.
Mandatory Reporting refers to the legal duty of certain professionals working with children e.g. teachers, healthcare workers, coaches, youth leaders, and religious leaders, to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect to the authorities.
Currently, there is no general legal requirement in the UK for all individuals working with children to report suspected abuse. However, statutory guidance under Working Together to Safeguard Children advises that anyone with concerns about a child’s welfare should refer these concerns to local authority children’s social care, especially if a child may be at risk of significant harm.
Campaigns for Mandatory Reporting continue, and our abuse law team has been actively involved in advocating for stronger legal protections for children.
Switalskis offers a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and advise you on your options. We also offer No Win No Fee arrangements, meaning there is no financial risk to you if you decide to make a claim. Our goal is to make the process as safe and accessible as possible.
If you’ve experienced abuse within the Church of England, our dedicated team is here to listen, support, and guide you. You can contact us confidentially at 0800 1380 458 or through our website. We will handle your case with the utmost care, professionalism, and compassion.
It’s understandable that many survivors of abuse by Church of England leaders were unable to come forward at the time, particularly when the abuser held a position of trust and authority. Many victims only feel able to speak out as adults.
Time limits for legal claims can be a concern, especially when you're dealing with something as sensitive as church abuse. Generally, personal injury claims (which include church abuse claims) have a time limit of three years for you to start the process. However, it's important to note that exceptions are often made for cases involving abuse, particularly when children are involved or when the survivor has only recently started coming to terms with the abuse.
In cases of child abuse in the Church of England, the Catholic Church or any other religious institution, the courts often understand the unique emotional and challenges that can delay reporting. This means that even if the abuse happened many years ago, you may still be eligible to make a church abuse compensation claim.
Our compassionate experts understand the challenges involved in reporting historic abuse. We will support you fully and guide you through the process, ensuring your experience is treated with sensitivity and care.
The thought of facing your abuser in court can be incredibly daunting, especially in sensitive cases like church abuse. While it's possible that you may have to see the abuser during legal proceedings, there are measures we can take to minimise the emotional impact of this confrontation. For example, we may be able to arrange for you to give evidence from behind a screen or via a video link. Our church sexual abuse lawyers are experienced in these matters and will explain all your available options to make sure you feel comfortable and safe. It is worth noting that fewer than 1% of our cases go to a hearing so it’s very unlikely you’ll have to give evidence at court.
When it comes to building a strong case for church abuse compensation, evidence is key. The types of evidence we’ll need vary depending on the specifics of your case, including whether it's child abuse in the Church of England, the Catholic Church or another religious setting. Generally, medical records, witness statements and any digital communications related to the abuse are good examples of evidence. In some cases, expert reports from psychologists or medical professionals can also be useful.
While there are generally time limits for personal injury claims, exceptions are often made for cases involving abuse, particularly child abuse in the Church of England, the Catholic Church and other religious institutions. Courts understand the emotional challenges that can delay reporting, so even if the abuse happened many years ago, you may still be eligible for church abuse compensation.
The amount of compensation varies depending on the specifics of your case, such as the type and extent of the abuse and its long-term impact on you. While we can't provide an exact estimate, we can guide you through the types of damages you may be able to claim, which could include compensation for your physical and emotional suffering, medical expenses, and loss of earnings.
The time it takes to make a church abuse claim can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case. Some cases may settle in a few months, while others may take longer due to their sensitive and complex nature. We'll give you a more tailored estimate of the timeline once we have a better understanding of your specific case.
People experience abuse in lots of different ways, and everyone heals differently. If you’re concerned about a friend or loved one, or want support in your own healing journey, it can help to understand how childhood abuse might affect you in the present.
If you’ve been harmed by child sexual abuse it can take a long time to terms with what happened and feel ready to talk to someone about it. It’s hard, but there are support services available and we recommend you contact them as one of your first steps.
The Data Protection Act 2018 has given all UK care leavers the right to request a copy of any personal data that an organisation holds about them, including councils/local authorities.
At Switalskis, our team regularly provides support to people making subject access requests for social services records.
At Switalskis, we want to break down those barriers and tackle misconceptions about PTSD symptoms and causes, to make sure everyone can get the help they need. This is important for us because of our work supporting survivors of child abuse. Many people develop PTSD in response to physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse.
The Church of England has admitted to a serious data breach that exposed the personal details of nearly 200 abuse survivors.
The Church of England's General Synod in York this week voted against full independence in its safeguarding operations, a decision that was anticipated by many. This
Professor Alexis Jay published the Future of Church Safeguarding report, outlining next steps for how the Church of England responds.
Views are being sought to better understand what needs to be improved or what is already working well in church safeguarding processes.
To speak to one of our specialist church child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.
When you're dealing with something as sensitive as a church abuse compensation claim, you need more than just legal expertise. You need a team that embodies values you can trust. Here's why Switalskis stands out:
Legal jargon can make an already complicated and emotionally fraught process even more daunting. At Switalskis, we pride ourselves on making complex legal matters easy to understand. We'll explain your options for church abuse compensation in straightforward, plain English.
We're not just here to guide you through the legal process; we're here to support you emotionally as well. From our first meeting to the resolution of your case, we offer a safe and confidential space where you can feel heard and respected. Our approach is rooted in empathy, making us more than just your church abuse lawyers; we're your supporters in this challenging journey.
Our team has extensive experience in handling church abuse claims. This includes high-profile cases involving the Church of England and the Catholic Church, but also encompasses abuse by religious authorities from other faiths and institutions. We know the unique challenges these cases present and how to navigate them effectively. When you choose Switalskis, you're choosing a team with a proven track record in securing church abuse compensation.
We're committed to fighting for justice on your behalf. Our team will advocate tirelessly for you. We're not just here to win your case and secure the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to claim; we're here to champion your rights and help you find the justice and peace you deserve.
At Switalskis, we take immense pride in the work we do, helping survivors of child abuse to find justice and move forward. Over the years, our commitment has been recognised through various awards and accreditations. Here's a quick look at some of our achievements, so you know you're working with a team you can trust.
If you or someone you know has experienced child abuse by a church leader or member, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and help is available. At Switalskis, we’re committed to providing the expert, compassionate support you need.
Reach out to us for a confidential, no-obligation chat by calling us on 0800 1380 458 or contacting us through the website.