The trustees of Soul Survivor Watford have suspended Mike Pilavachi as an employee with immediate effect while the formal independent investigation conducted by the National Safeguarding Team (NST) and St Albans Diocesan Safeguarding Team continues. It has become clear that this more decisive action should have been made earlier and we have acted to correct this now.
When he stepped back from ministry in April, Mike resigned from the board of Soul Survivor Watford and all related charity boards.
We want to reiterate that we are especially aware of the responsibility we have towards those who reported their safeguarding concerns to the Church of England and of how much they are suffering. We regret this was not clear in our initial statement made on 2nd April and are sorry for the pain caused as a result.
We are continuing to cooperate fully with the investigation. We are assured that anyone affected will continue to be given the opportunity to contribute to the investigation and given the support they need. We are also committed to reviewing the culture of Soul Survivor Watford and are determined that lessons are learned to ensure a strong, healthy and supportive environment for anyone who calls this church their home.
We recognise that there are currently many people who are feeling hurt and confused. It takes a lot of courage to speak up and we would encourage anyone who has concerns related to the investigation to report those to the NST on safeguarding@churchofengland.org or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org. For other concerns, please contact thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111, or the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056. More detailed contact details can be found below.
For press enquiries please contact Gareth Russell by email or on 07967 468008.
2nd May 2023
Andy Croft read the following statement to the church on Sunday 30th April:
As most people will know by now, four weeks ago we told you that there was an independent national Church safeguarding investigation happening into Mike Pilavachi. It’s absolutely right, when allegations have been made, that there is an independent investigation, and it’s appropriate that Mike steps back. We want you to know that we are especially aware of how much those who have come forward have been affected and of how much they are suffering, as are all who are directly involved in this investigation. I want to say, on behalf of the leadership of the church, how much this grieves us.
I also want to acknowledge that for our church family, this is painful. The trustees and the staff of the church have been cooperating fully and completely with this investigation and will continue to do so. We strongly encourage you that if you know anything that you think might be relevant to share it with the national safeguarding team, all the contact details can be found below.
We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, though we can say that more recent allegations have come to light. We want to underline our commitment to excellence in our present safeguarding practice and culture. We’ll continue to do all that we can to meet the high standards that we are aiming for, and to ensure that Soul Survivor is a safe place for all.
In the meantime, we understand how difficult this is for many of you, and as a pastoral team we are here to support you in any way that we can. We can also refer you to independent support if this has brought up difficult emotions, and these details are also available below.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact Jeremy Hirst at the Diocesan Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org or Judith Renton, Ian Bowles or Anthony Clarke at the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org who will listen to what you have to say. Please be assured that any safeguarding concerns raised will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.
If this news has raised concerns for you that are outside of the remit of this investigation, thirtyone:eight has an independent safeguarding helpline where someone will listen to what you have to say, and can provide compassionate and clear advice. They can be contacted on 0303 003 1111. They have written this blog which has some helpful content to consider. You can also contact the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 which is a free and independent support service for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.
