Thankyou, Sue. Thankyou.

However, in relation to this abuser’s ‘mental state’ that J. Marsh refers to – surely if he is working with such vulnerable clients in such a highly sensitive area and is a so-called professional (what qualifications he has I don’t know) he would be subject to some degree of ongoing evaluation or supervision??!!

When I have my very expensive four-weekly supervision with an independent, external, highly qualified supervisor, one of the key functions of that work is to ensure that I am fit for practice, checking out my ‘mental state’ and ‘triggers’ etc. that might be going on for me. I embrace this, welcome it, am happy to undertake this, opening my thinking, beliefs, practice and life up to scrutiny knowing that all of my clients can rely on my approach to safety. This is something robust and honourable counselling/therapeutic professionals surely welcome and I am prepared to be told by my supervisor that I may, for example need to withdraw from client work for a break, or undertake therapy, or that something I have said may be a breach of UK Legislation.

AND IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT I FIND MYSELF ASKING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:-

What are his current professional qualifications? Is he up to date with these?

Did the diocese take out a CRB check on him for his role with them? CRB checks apply to organisation/role that you have, they are not a catch-all for anything that you do. So his CRB for his former social work role would not necessarily have applied. If they did not take this out, why not? If they didn’t then surely J. Marsh they at that point are not in touch with UK legislation.

Did the diocese provide him with independent, external supervision – if not then institutionally they would do well to come into the real world and provide such safe-guarding for clients. It’s a bit of a no-brainer if you ask me.

NOW THE DARKER QUESTION
Did the diocese know about this man’s former abuse? If they did then I make no apology for wondering whether the church felt a need to ‘contain’ this man by perhaps offering him this role. Why would I think this? Simply because this is their MO!!! I would welcome hard evidence that my musings are way off beam!

There is no doubt that not all survivors of abuse go on to abuse but some do and I would have thought that working with vulnerable patients in such direct contact would have at least instigated some questions about this former abused person’s fitness to undertake the job? It’s not to say that people with experience of abuse cannot work in this field. Quite the opposite, in fact they bring immense experience, insight and inspire great empathy HOWEVER as with every other therapeutic professional abused or not there MUST MUST MUST be supervision that picks up ‘changes in mental health/circumstances/thinking’ etc.

Now I know even making independent supervision compulsory under law may not stop perpetrators from doing what they do as well but given that this bloke slipped through a net somewhere it at least tightens up the threads a little more.

I also know that we are surmising an awful lot here however I go back to my original reaction to this story – shocked but incredibly not surprised – that in itself speaks volumes. Compounded by the fact that it warranted nothing more than a cursory mention, hidden away in the shadows of the press – seemingly just like everything else that the church are involved with.

I suspect this thread may go on!

*But would the diocese of Plymouth have run a CRB check on mr Jarvis before employing him into such sensitive position?
Yes. Mr Jarvis had previously worked as a social worker so would have had a CRB check for that job also. He had worked with children for a very long time and had an excellent record. No one had any idea about his change of mental state.

*What are the church procedures when hiring people for these sensitive positions?
To advertise the post, read applications, check references, interview and request a CRB check.

*Does the CRB apply for people working for the catholic church in England?
Yes

*Does the catholic church report to the CRB on any criminal charges resulting from their own “justice system” – canon law?
Yes, of course. The Catholic “justice system” does not work outside of the UK Justice System.

It is still dangerous in 2011, despite how they will lie and tell you otherwise, Take a look at this year’s stories in Philadelphia, KC, Ireland, and dozens of sites where they have been caught. Catholics still defend their pedophile protection program.

You can still save your kids if they haven’t been abused by a priest yet.