It’s understood that discussions with the PSNI followed concerns raised by PCI after the conviction of an individual for child sexual offences
The PSNI has said it is working with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to support victims wishing to “make disclosures”.
It comes after the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Rev Trevor Gribben announced he is going to resign after an internal review found people within the Church have been harmed and placed at risk due to safeguarding failures.
Speaking at a news conference in Belfast on Wednesday, Rev Gribben said that following an internal investigation and report, it has become clear that there have been “serious and significant failings” in the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from the period 2009 to 2022.
READ MORE: Head of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to resign over people placed in harm due to safeguarding failuresREAD MORE: Minister shocked at Presbyterian Church safeguarding failures as he calls for clarity
He said: “As a result of this, people have been placed at risk. We are aware of a number of people who have been harmed, and we believe there may well be others as yet unknown to us.
“We apologise unreservedly for this.”
It emerged that failures included situations where the Church failed to respond when people who had suffered harm sought help and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were “inadequately monitored”.
It is understood that discussions with the PSNI followed concerns raised by PCI after the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sexual offences.
Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been actively engaged in ongoing discussions with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support any victim who wishes to make disclosures.
“The PSNI remains committed to working in partnership with all relevant agencies and organisations to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place to protect vulnerable individuals. If you or anyone you know are concerned or wish to report a crime to police, we have dedicated detectives trained to investigate and support all victims of abuse.”
You can come forward by calling 101 or a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
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