Victims and complainants of Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi believe that the Scolding report has left "some issues unexplored and questions unanswered".
In a post on X, Richard Scorer, who represents several of these individuals, shared a joint statement from 15 victims who have experienced Pilavachi’s abusive behaviour. The group characterised the report’s findings as “damning” yet “unsurprising”.
The statement said: “Although Fiona Scolding KC has done her best within the limitations imposed on her, some victims and survivors were unwilling to speak to a review funded by Soul Survivor itself. The Church of England National Safeguarding Team (NST) did not share much of the information in its possession with the reviewer, leaving much of the picture hidden.”
On this, the Scolding report explained that many pieces of supporting evidence held by the National Safeguarding Team could not be shared due to data protection legislation. Of the 46 people who provided anonymous accounts for the NST report, only 15 consented to share their experiences with the Scolding review, along with 18 others who supported Pilavachi.
The review team interviewed approximately 70 people and conducted several lengthy discussions with Pilavachi himself.
For the group, although the report concluded that many in Soul Survivor leadership were aware of Pilavachi's behaviour, they believe it lacks a thorough "forensic analysis of individual culpability". As a result, they said, those who enabled Pilavachi can evade personal responsibility by arguing that "everyone knew".
The statement further notes: "A big question is how Soul Survivor can truly reform itself when the people leading it now were also in leadership roles during the years when Pilavachi did these things, and the report fails to provide an answer.
“The report because of its limited remit could not address the wider lessons of this case for the Church of England as a whole. The report raises the concern that it may only have been under media pressure that the Church of England National Safeguarding Team started to probe this case properly, but we don’t know what they really learned, and what action has been taken."
In response to the findings, the lead bishop for safeguarding, Rt Rev Joanne Grenfell, stated that the recommendations "will now be taken forward" and "where possible" incorporated into ongoing work, including revisions to the Clergy Discipline Measure, as recommended by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
"Fiona Scolding has clearly outlined the limitations of the current CDM process for safeguarding matters, and we will use her observations as we move forward," she added.
Bishop Joanne also referenced a Private Members’ Motion introduced to the General Synod in July, which called for an independent inquiry into the Church of England's role in this case. She said: “An important General Synod debate raised through a Private Members’ Motion drew attention to some of the issues in this case, including the importance of healthy cultures. It urged further theological reflection to guard against potential abuses of power and to promote safe and wise leadership. To ensure that such shocking abuses of power are not repeated, we will explore what further work needs to be done, particularly regarding governance and scrutiny of new worshipping communities across all traditions in the Church of England.”
The victims statement concluded: “As members of the General Synod have said, there still needs to be a proper independent inquiry into the Church of England’s failings in this case. In the meantime survivors will continue to pursue every avenue to ensure that accountability is achieved and lessons are learned.”
Safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight said in a statement: “The reviewers have sought to bring clarification and discourage speculation. They acknowledge that cultural change will not happen overnight and that views are divided on the way forward. There is still much hurt and pain, and the report repeatedly highlights the need for healing.
"All of us should carefully consider any changes that need to be made or actions that may need to be taken because of the findings of this review. Sadly, this is not the first time such behaviours and failures in safeguarding, organisational systems and wider governance have been brought to light.
"Soul Survivor church, and the wider Christian church are encouraged to openly seek to discuss and engender debate around the topics that the report raises. In due course, we will seek to support this as much as we can.
"The report asks readers to take time to process and reflect and to avoid speculating particularly online. Out of respect and support for the victims and survivors we encourage people to do this and to consider the impact their responses may have."