Reverend Jonathan Graves

Reverend Jonathan Graves served as a priest in the Diocese of Chichester, where he used his position to befriend teenage boys in his parish. He engaged in sexual activities with them, incorporating elements of sadism and masochism. In 2000, the Diocesan safeguarding adviser warned Graves that he should not have individuals under 18 in his house, but no enforcement actions were taken, and suspicions within the parish were not followed up.

Following a second investigation by Sussex Police, Graves was convicted in 2017 of seven counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and four counts of cruelty to a child. He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. The IICSA report highlighted how the Diocese allowed perpetrators like Graves unrestricted access to children despite known allegations and, in some cases, convictions, enabling continued offending.

The broader context of the Anglican Church's failures in Chichester, as detailed in the IICSA executive summary, revealed systemic issues including inadequate safeguarding policies and a culture of secrecy. Church leaders prioritised reputation and internal conflicts over reporting crimes, resulting in profound harm to victims. The inquiry noted improvements post-2012 under new leadership but emphasised the need for cultural change to prevent future abuses.