Welsh Church to review child protection process

Welsh Church to review child protection
process

The Church in Wales has begun a review of its child protection
procedures after a lay reader was jailed for three-years for a
sexual assault on a 16-year-old boy, writes Alex
Dobson.

During the case, it emerged that a former vicar and a parent had
raised concerns about the inappropriate behaviour of 27-year-old
Darren Jenkins prior to the assault on the boy.

But Janet Bone, communication officer for the diocese of Monmouth,
where Jenkins carried out church services, said that any
expressions of concern regarding Jenkins’ conduct which were made
known to the parish had been investigated.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Peter Clarke said he
was saddened and surprised by the case because the Church in Wales
had worked hard to put in place child protection procedures. He
said that it was vital in cases of this sort, that the proper
authorities were involved when any allegations of misconduct were
raised.