A member of the Church of England’s Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) who was sacked last year has been made a Dame in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Jasvinder Sanghera, who founded human rights charity Karma Nirvana has been honoured for services to victims of child abuse, forced marriage and honour-based abuse.

She was sacked by the Archbishops’ Council along with colleague Steve Reeves in June 2023.

As the ISB’s only two board members, Jas Sanghera and Steve Reeves had been tasked with scrutinising the work of the Church’s National Safeguarding Team (NST), as well as holding the Church to account regarding its safeguarding duties.

However, they claimed their work was hampered by interference from church officials and a lack of transparency. They also criticised a lack of consultation over the decision to appoint Meg Munn, a former chair of the National Safeguarding Panel as the ISB’s new Chair. Ms Munn subsequently resigned.

An independent inquiry into the Church’s engagement with and approach to the Independent Safeguarding Board was announced shortly afterwards. It found that there had been “structural” issues with the way in which the Archbishops’ Council had set up and administered the ISB.

Responding to her Damehood in a post on social media site X, Dame Jasvinder said:

“Difficult to find words being awarded Dame Jasvinder…WOW, cannot wait to use this for the greater good, as so much to do! Thank you, to all that have supported my journey. I will continue to raise my head above the parapet with conviction and honour.”

Jasvinder Sanghera who’s from Derby, was faced with the prospect of a forced marriage at the age of just 14. However she defied her parents’ wishes by refusing and leaving home. She went on to found Karma Nirvana in 1993.