A data breach has compromised the email addresses of 194 individuals who registered for updates on the Church of England Redress Scheme. The error occurred before the scheme was even open to applicants. Kennedys Law LLP, the third-party administrator, admitted responsibility for the incident and pledged to improve its practices.
The breach involved an email sent without blind copying recipients, thereby exposing all email addresses to each recipient. Kennedys described the incident as a “human error” and clarified that no other personal data was shared.
Kennedys Responds to Breach with Apology
In a statement dated August 28, attorney Helen Snowball of Kennedys Law took full responsibility. She confirmed the breach violated internal standards and said steps were being taken to prevent future issues.
“I want to reassure you that no further personal details…were shared,” Snowball stated. Despite this assurance, trust among survivors remains fragile.
Church Leadership Expresses Regret and Commitment
Bishop Philip Mounstephen of Winchester, former chair of the Redress Board, released a public letter expressing his deep regret. He acknowledged the emotional harm caused by the breach and reiterated the Church’s commitment to supporting survivors.
“Our focus must be on supporting those affected,” Mounstephen wrote. He emphasized the scheme’s purpose: financial redress, therapeutic and spiritual support, and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Advocates Demand Stronger Action from Law Firm
House of Survivors, a survivor-led advocacy group, issued a forceful response urging Kennedys to act decisively. They called on the firm to offer generous compensation to breach victims, describing this as a “smart” and reputationally strategic move.
“Trust is low and tension is high,” the group noted. They warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to further legal claims and financial loss for Kennedys. The statement encouraged proactive, out-of-the-box solutions, noting that survivors have every right to pursue civil claims independently.
Redress Scheme Still Awaits Parliamentary Approval
Although approved by the General Synod in July, the redress scheme remains inactive pending final approval by Parliament. Survivors cannot apply for compensation until the process is officially authorized.
Source:
Email Error Affects Church’s Redress Scheme
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