People who were sexually abused in religious institutions were less likely to report the abuse at the time than survivors of abuse in other settings, a report by the Truth Project found.
More than half of those who took part in the project, which is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), said they felt shame, embarrassment or guilt around what happened to them.
The report, which brings together responses from 183 individuals who were sexually abused as children in religious institutions or by clergy or church staff in other settings, found that victims in almost half of cases (48%) knew of someone else being abused at the time.
More than two thirds (68%) of those abused in religious institutions said they had not reported their abuse at the time, while this figure was lower (54%) for people abused in non-religious settings.
Survivors said secrecy in religious organisations and an assumption around the morality of perpetrators must change, to stop abuse happening in future.
The report said: “Culturally, participants stated that the secrecy that comes from the sanctity of religious institutions and the assumption of the automatic morality of those involved in them had to be addressed.
“Politically and professionally, it was suggested that victims and survivors needed to be at the centre of all concerns, actions and support relating to…
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