“Unprecedented” decision to treble compensation paid to Birmingham abuse victims

“Unprecedented” Birmingham Clergy Abuse

Title: “Unprecedented” decision to treble compensation paid to Birmingham abuse victims

Author: Catherine Pepinster

Publisher: The Tablet

Date: 21JUL2020

According to one expert, it is the first time in 25 years that a further offer of financial compensation has been made to victims.

The Archdiocese of Birmingham has made an unprecedented decision to triple the compensation paid to two survivors of child sexual abuse by two of its priests.

Despite making previous full and final settlements, it made the increased offer a year after it was severely criticised by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) for its handling of cases. It agreed it needed to rectify further what happened to two particular victims.

One of the victims, A343, was abused by Fr John Tolkien, son of the author of the Lord of the Rings, even though the diocese knew that he had assaulted other children.

Lawyers acting for survivors of abuse say the Archdiocese’s change of heart is extraordinary and may well pave the way for further cases of compensation to be re-opened.