Victims of child sexual abuse felt ignored by religious institutions, says new report

While most of the survivors were Anglican or Catholic, some came from other religious denominations including Judaism, the report said.

A more-in depth look at 12 examples included one person from “Orthodox Judaism”.

Shame or embarrassment often prevented victims of abuse reporting it.

But the authority and reverence enjoyed by religious figures meant their conduct was not questioned and made it easy for them to “act with relative impunity”, the report said.

Many of the victims said they had been aware of others being abused by the same person or in the same institution.

Most of the testimonies related to abuse that began in the 1970s. Most victims were men and in over 40 per cent of cases, abuse had between the ages of eight to 11.

Earlier this month the IICSA launched an inquiry into child protection in religious institutions which will include synagogues. A preliminary hearing is due to take place in July with public hearings scheduled for next year.