A SADISTIC and predatory atmosphere with a culture of excessive corporal punishment – that’s the verdict of an inquiry into Ealing Abbey and St Benedict’s School.

In many cases, physical abuse was used as a platform for sexual gratification and a means by which to instigate sexual abuse, says the report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse.

The report considers the evidence   of extensive sexual abuse against children in Ealing Abbey and St Benedict’s School and highlights the flawed responses to allegations, from both the Church and external institutions. 

It considers how very senior figures at the school or abbey were perpetrators of abuse, with staff members warned to say nothing, leaving victims feeling they had nowhere to turn. 

It led to a culture of abuse spanning more than 30 years.

During five days of public hearings in February, the inquiry heard evidence from those who had been sexually abused as children at St Benedict’s School.

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Since 2003, four members of staff connected to St Benedict’s have been convicted of multiple offences for the sexual abuse of more than 20 children.

Another teacher was convicted of offences relating to the possession of indecent images of children in 2016.

The total scale of abuse can never be known, says the report, but it is likely to be much greater.  

The leadership failure of Abbot Martin Shipperlee is highlighted in the report.

It found serious shortcomings in his response to allegations and handling of child protection concerns, concluding that any action he did take was often inadequate and ill-judged.  

During the inquiry’s investigation into Ealing Abbey, Abbot Shipperlee resigned.

The chair and panel conclude that it remains to be seen whether Ealing Abbey proves itself capable of ensuring proper safeguarding of children at risk in future.

Publication of the report comes before the inquiry’s final public hearing into the Roman Catholic Church, which will begin on October 28 and will run for two weeks.