Safeguarding case review: Revd Michael Hall, Tylers Green
Rev. Michael Hall, St Margaret’s, Tylers GreenSafeguarding case review for the period 1981 to 2000The Diocese of Oxford has commissioned a safeguarding case review into allegations of spiritual abuse connected with St Margaret’s, Tylers Green, High Wycombe between 1981 and 2000. The review is ongoing and a confidential helpline has been set up for anyone wishing to come forward with further information. The information provided to date includes allegations of spiritual abuse, possible coercive behaviour and adult sexual activity which was witnessed by children and young people. [scroll down the page to continue reading] Trigger warningThe content on this page includes references to suicide, sexual behaviour, spiritual and financial abuse. Sources of help and support are provided immediately below. If you would like to talk to someoneIf you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the information shared on this page and want to talk to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or email safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk To come forward with further information, please contact Thirtyone:eight 0303 003 1111 (option #3). Please use the phrase "Tylers Green" to be directed to a specialist. You do not have to give your name and anything you share will be treated with the utmost care and compassion. If you would prefer to contact the diocesan safeguarding team directly, please email safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org Your message will only be seen by trained safeguarding professionals. Advice and other sources of support are listed at the bottom of this page. [scroll down the page to continue reading] In January 2020 a former member of the congregation at St Margaret’s Tylers Green tragically took their own life. On learning of the death, the current vicar raised serious concerns with the diocesan safeguarding team about the past behaviour of the previous incumbent, Rev. Michael Hall, towards members of the congregation including the deceased. The subsequent safeguarding investigation, which is ongoing, has secured statements from a number of witnesses over a prolonged period and included a comprehensive file review of archived documents. In the context of the focus to date of the safeguarding review and the information provided it is the opinion of the diocesan safeguarding team that Revd Hall’s behaviour towards those who have raised concerns was not appropriate. The members of the review team believe that Revd Hall’s behaviour would, if it occurred today, be described as spiritual abuse which is now understood to include coercion and control, manipulation and pressuring of individuals, through the misuse of religious texts and scripture and providing a ‘divine’ rationale for behaviour. Statements provided to the diocese during the course of the investigation also suggest adult sexual activity between some members of the congregation took place during the same period, which was possibly coercive and, according to survivor accounts, witnessed by children and young people. We have also looked into a further claim of financial abuse involving a significant sum of money. Further interviews and statements will now be sought by the diocese ahead of an independent Lessons Learned Review to be commissioned later this year. We want to properly understand the circumstances behind what happened and the actions of senior clergy at the time, and we want to listen to people’s experiences of Michael Hall. We now invite anyone who came into contact with Michael Hall, and also the partners and children of those who encountered him, to come forward with information. A confidential independent helpline is available. The Rt Revd Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham, has met with those who have come forward during the investigation so far and has apologised to each of them on behalf of the Church for what Michael Hall did. Comments from the Bishop of BuckinghamReflecting on the safeguarding investigation and his meetings with the victims, Bishop Alan comments; “I have heard stories that books weren’t allowed in the church, it was only the word of Michael Hall that carried weight. Anyone who didn't fit in was apparently bullied and cajoled by him until they did, or they walked away. Sexualised behaviour between some members of the congregation and Hall appears to have been witnessed by children and young people and then spiritualised by him as acceptable. The people I spoke to described feelings of being trapped and experiencing distorted family lives that persist to this day. I am in no doubt that what happened was wrong and I think that there can be no excuse for Halls actions. I am truly sorry for what happened here in Tyler’s Green and encourage anyone with further information to come forward." The Diocese of Southwell and NottinghamThe Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham has confirmed its support for the investigation and learning review: “We deplore all forms of abuse and would urge anyone who has information relating to Revd Michael Hall to assist the Diocese of Oxford in this process”.
Further information
To come forward with information about Revd Michael E. Hall
Advice and other sources of support
About this investigation
About safeguarding in the Diocese of OxfordSafeguarding is part of the mission of the church, and part of who we are. During the last five years the Diocese of Oxford has…
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