Churches have failed to take seriously the abuse suffered by divorced and separated clergy spouses, according to new research by the support group Broken Rites.

The survey identified abuse as a factor in the breakdown of 83 per cent of respondents’ marriages, but only 13 per cent believed church authorities treated the issue seriously.

Many respondents suggested the Church was more focused on addressing sexual abuse than on the physical and emotional abuse experienced within clergy marriages.

According to the Church Times, one participant asked: “How do we report the abuse and be believed when the perpetrator is seen as ‘a good and caring person’ in the eyes of parishioners and the public?” 

The research, conducted between March and May, surveyed seventy-seven members of Broken Rites. It found that housing and financial insecurity were the most significant challenges faced after marital breakdown, followed by mental-health and legal issues.

More than half of respondents said they received little or no financial or pension advice from church bodies at the time of separation, often turning instead to solicitors or independent advisors.

Sue Bamber, chair of Broken Rites, said: “Being believed and being listened to is what it comes down to. Dioceses look after their own clergy, the voice of the other party involved is not given much weight. At the end of the day, the feeling is that they need to protect the institution.”