393:
Fletcher, had commissioned a report into Smyth in 1982 but not passed any information to the police. Fletcher also had a further report of Smyth's abuse in
Zimbabwe in 1993. They also said that reports were stored in the loft of the chair of the Trust, Giles Rawlinson, and were not made available to any secular authorities until 2017, when they were requisitioned by Hampshire police under warrant. The survivors went on to say that the Trust had refused to engage with victims, show any concern for their well-being, or offer support. Their statement said:
368:, but it was not made public until 2016. It found Smyth targeted pupils from leading public schools and took them to his home near Winchester in Hampshire, where he carried out lashings with a garden cane in his shed. It said eight of the boys received a total of 14,000 lashes, while two more received 8,000 strokes between them over three years. Iwerne Trust called the practice "horrific" but did not report the claims to police for over 30 years, until 2013.
376:, South Africa, where he ran the Justice Alliance of South Africa for some years. The Alliance describes itself as "a coalition of corporationsâ individuals and churches committed to upholding and fighting for justice and the highest moral standards in South African society." It transpired that he had practised the same vicious beatings on many more young boys in these countries.
406:
In 2018 there were calls for an independent inquiry into both the abuse, and the culture of the Trust that enabled John Smyth to evade justice despite awareness amongst so many trustees, associated clergy and senior figures within the Church of
England. In August 2018, it was reported that a group of
293:
The holidays were, in theory, run under the auspices of
Scripture Union, with the Iwerne Trust raising funds to support them. However, by time of David Fletcher's leadership, the holidays were in practice run by the Iwerne Trust, with no meaningful oversight from Scripture Union, although its senior
419:
In March 2020 the Titus Trust reached a settlement with three men "who have suffered for many years because of the appalling abuse of John Smyth". The Trust expressed âprofound regretâ for the abuse, and apologised for âadditional distressâ caused by the way it responded to the allegations. A group
397:
Their protestation of sympathy is cynical and disingenuous. Had the Titus Trust acted on the information that was available to it since its foundation, Smyth's abuse could have been stopped long ago. Our hearts go out to the 60 or more children of
Zimbabwe and South Africa who suffered at the hands
392:
which outlined that they were 'appalled' by the response of Titus Trust. They denied the Trust had done all it could to ensure Smyth was properly investigated, and also its claim that the Trust was only notified of the allegations against him in 2014. They stated that one of its trustees, David
371:
Smyth fled the United
Kingdom in 1984 and moved to Zimbabwe where, in 1986, he set up summer camps for boys from the country's leading schools. He was arrested in 1997 during an investigation into the drowning of Guide Nyachuru, a 16-year-old adolescent, at the Marondera camp. He then moved to
415:âI have personally written to every individual Titus Trustee more than once, pleading for them to do their duty as trustees and as Christians, and help the victims. Not one has responded. The refusal of the trustees to offer any help to Smythâs victims has massively compounded their suffering.
383:
It is deeply regrettable that John Smyth's death has robbed his victims of the opportunity to see justice done. Since 2014, when the board of the Titus Trust was informed of the allegations, we have done all we can to ensure the matter is properly investigated by the relevant authorities. We
326:
The Titus Trust was set up in 1997 to replace the Iwerne Trust, with the aim of clarifying the previously-confused relationship between
Scripture Union and the trust. In 2000 it took full control of the running of the holidays, with Scripture Union ceasing to be involved.
804:
The contents of the Ruston report were not news to another Titus Trust trustee, the Revd David
Fletcher, who, as the Scripture Union employee responsible for running the Iwerne camps, had worked with Mr Ruston to compile the report before confronting Smyth in
279:, slogan of the âBash Campsâ (Bash being the very affectionate name given to E. J. H. Nash) was âkey boys from key schoolsâ and, whilst this strategy of creating a patrician, elitist Christian society was criticised by many, the results were most remarkable.
274:
The keynotes of Iwerne were always very simple bible teaching and pastoral care through strongly developed friendships at all levels. Attendance was by invitation only and limited to boys at major public schools, at least boarding schools. The unofficial,
86:âTo seek by every available effective means to make the Christian faith a living practical issue to young people having a past or present association with independent schools in England and Wales, this being done in accordance with the basis of faith.â
407:
survivors had launched a legal claim against the Titus Trust, who were running the Iwerne Trust camps. The group of men who launched this action said that the Trust had remained silent since the allegations about Smyth emerged. They engaged
384:
sympathise deeply with Smyth's victims and continue to pray that they find healing and freedom from the harm that was so unjustly inflicted on them. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the news of John Smyth's death.
180:. The camps provide adventure activities including kayaking, climbing, go-karting, sailing, laser clay-pigeon shooting and other activities, while also providing Bible studies and discussion groups on the Christian faith.
509:
Orens, John
Richard (2009). "Book Reviews: From Controversy to Co-Existence: Evangelicals in the Church of England, 1914â1980. By Randle Manwaring. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985. xi + 277 pp. $ 34.50".
304:, was involved in the camps during Fletcher's years, and Fletcher described Alpha as: "basically the Iwerne camp talk scheme with charismatic stuff added on", though Gumbel himself admits only an indirect link.
202:
in 2018, details came to light about abuse of boys at Iwerne Trust camps under Smyth's leadership which eventually resulted in a settlement being reached between the Titus Trust and a group of survivors.
330:
In 2020, after the John Smyth abuse case, the trust announced that it would be closing down the Iwerne brand and directing attendees towards its other camps (Lymington
Rushmore, Gloddaeth and LDN).
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QC, a former
Chairman of Iwerne Trust, had been wanted for questioning by the police at the time of his death in August 2018. There were multiple claims from former boys at
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of Smythâs victims called in response for the trust to disband, as it had protected its own interests rather than offering care and support to victims.
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and in senior leadership positions in the British establishment. Many men who became influential church leaders attended the Iwerne camps, including
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Iwerne Holidays, Christian Activity Holidays Forres, Lymington Rushmore Holidays, Gloddaeth (St Davidâs College, Llandudno) , LDN Holidays
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during the 1970s and 1980s of savage psycho-sexual beatings. Smyth had previously worked as a barrister representing
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leaders remained legally employed by Scripture Union (but paid with money provided by the Iwerne Trust).
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A group of survivors describing themselves as 'amongst the scores of victims' beaten by Smyth released
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Manwaring's book was criticised as offering "more partisan pieties than it does historical analysis".
399:
286:
Nash retired from the staff of Scripture Union in 1965, and David Fletcher (son of Labour politician
350:
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353:. Reports of his alleged physical abuse of at least 22 boys were revealed in an investigation by
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949:"John Smyth victim calls for independent inquiry after he claims church 'marks its own exams'"
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Iwerne Trust had carried out its own internal report in 1982, compiled by Mark Ruston of the
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The Revd and Hon David Fletcher; Mr Giles Rawlinson (Chair until 2016) Peter Gaskell
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663:"Abuse perpetrated under the cloak of religion sets a trap which lasts a lifetime"
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From Controversy to Co-Existence: Evangelicals in the Church of England 1914-1980
787:"Titus Trust: 'This is what we knew of John Smyth's abuse, and when we knew it'"
173:
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743:"British barrister accused of child abuse had been charged in killing of teen"
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is a registered charity in the UK, and is the successor organisation to the
717:"British lawyer accused of child abuse dies before police can question him"
402:" of the Titus Trust. We do not believe they are fit to work with children.
1028:"Titus Trust settles with abuse victims at Christian holiday 'bash camps'"
314:
in her successful private prosecution for blasphemy against the newspaper
818:"Alleged victim of Christian camp leader John Smyth 'beaten 3,000 times'"
315:
923:"John Smyth victims slam 'cynical and disingenuous' Titus Trust apology"
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379:
Following his death, the Titus Trust released a statement which said:
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Bleeding for Jesus : John Smyth and the cult of the Iwerne camps
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of John Smyth as we did, but needlessly. We have no interest in the "
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to act for them. Andrew Graystone, acting as their advocate, said
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Registered Office: 12 Lime Tree Mews, 2 Lime Walk, Oxford. OX3 7DZ
844:"John Smyth QC Faces Fresh Allegations Over Abuse In Zimbabwe"
1074:
871:
144:
589:
John Smyth Independent Case Review Executive Summary Report
566:"Scripture Union criticised for silence about John Smyth"
1001:"John Smyth's accusers launch claim against Titus Trust"
975:"John Smyth's accusers launch claim against Titus Trust"
198:
After the death of barrister and Iwerne Trust chairman
898:"Press: From the horrific to the downright insincere"
689:"John Smyth: the go-to barrister for Mary Whitehouse"
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228:(popularly known as "Bash"), a member of staff of
310:, a barrister who was best known for acting for
1105:Christian charities based in the United Kingdom
460:Evangelicals in the Church of England 1734-1984
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187:("Bash"), initially to financially support the
630:Archbishop Justin Welby:The Road to Canterbury
447:. Charity Commission website. 2 December 2018.
1100:Church of England societies and organisations
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216:The Iwerne holidays were started in 1932 at
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235:These camps were initially for boys at the
1125:Violence against men in the United Kingdom
645:"Iwerne camps close in wake of Smyth case"
290:) took over responsibility for the camps.
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1090:1997 establishments in the United Kingdom
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484:. Cambridge University Press. pp.
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183:The Iwerne Trust was set up in 1932 by
7:
785:Davies, Madeleine (21 August 2021).
1053:. : DARTON,LONGMAN & TODD LTD.
1026:Sherwood, Harriet (5 April 2020).
14:
1095:Organizations established in 1997
564:Wilkinson, Paul (26 March 2021).
237:top thirty British public schools
176:for children and young people at
896:Brown, Andrew (17 August 2018).
1110:Charities based in Oxfordshire
458:Hylson-Smith, Kenneth (1992).
191:, which were in theory run by
172:It runs evangelical Christian
1:
1115:Organisations based in Oxford
586:Camina, Gill (4 March 2021).
643:Thornton, Ed (29 May 2020).
628:Atherstone, Andrew (2013).
606:Baker, David (March 1999).
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1049:Graystone, Andrew (2021).
476:Manwaring, Randle (1985).
364:and David Fletcher of the
349:, who campaigned against
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334:John Smyth abuse scandal
270:Randle Manwaring wrote
239:, and aimed to promote
1120:Child abuse in England
608:"Doing the impossible"
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362:Round Church Cambridge
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51:Registration no.
445:"Charitable Objects"
400:thoughts and prayers
390:their own statement
769:"The Ruston Report"
351:cultural liberalism
78:England & Wales
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595:. Scripture Union.
357:in February 2017.
343:Winchester College
220:in the village of
145:www.titustrust.org
852:. 8 February 2017
749:. 3 February 2017
697:. 2 February 2017
300:, founder of the
245:Church of England
218:Clayesmore School
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132:Volunteers
102:Subsidiaries
74:Area served
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876:Titus Trust
322:Titus Trust
122:Employees
19:Titus Trust
1084:Categories
985:4 December
907:13 January
424:References
339:John Smyth
308:John Smyth
277:sotto voce
261:Dick Lucas
249:John Stott
200:John Smyth
92:Key people
959:15 August
933:15 August
881:15 August
856:15 August
798:21 August
701:15 August
673:15 August
548:162205069
532:0009-6407
374:Cape Town
112:Revenue
828:10 March
822:BBC News
753:10 March
727:10 March
316:Gay News
59:Location
613:23 July
540:3166863
243:in the
207:History
141:Website
54:1066751
33:Founded
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83:Method
805:1982.
772:(PDF)
593:(PDF)
544:S2CID
536:JSTOR
486:57-58
1055:ISBN
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830:2021
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