Sexual Misconduct Policy: Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Assault. October 2001; Revised February, 2004. Click here for full 40 page policy (pdf file).
Sexual exploitation is any form of sexual contact or invitation to sexual contact, with an adult by a professional person, cleric or anyone in a position of authority, trust or power over that adult whether or not there is consent from the individual . . . Meaningful consent for sexual activity is not possible in a fiduciary relationship.
Ministerial Ethics: A Covenant of Trust. Part VII. Sexual Conduct.
One of the most destructive moral failures by clergy is sexual misconduct. The damage caused by this failure spreads like a virus throughout the church, devastating families and individuals. Sexual failures are often headline news, implicating clergy in all religious bodies.
In one study questionnaires were sent to 1000 Baptist pastors. Of those responding, 14.1 percent acknowledged inappropriate sexual contact in their ministries; 70.4 percent said they knew of some other minister's sexual failings; and 24.2 percent reported that they had counseled at least one person who claimed to have had sexual contact with a minister.
Safe Connections: What Parishioners Can Do to Understand and Prevent Clergy Sexual Abuse.
What is clergy sexual abuse? Clergy sexual abuse is a boundary violation. Sexual activity in the context of a relationship between parishioner and pastor is an improper and harmful use of that relationship. Clergy sexual abuse violates the sacred purpose of the pastoral relationship . . .
But what about . . . ? Is it ever okay? Sexual relationships between pastors and parishioners fail the parishioner 99.5% of the time. Perhaps one relationship in 1000 results in marriage . . .
Sexual Abuse or Harassment Policy. March 2006.
. . . it is stressed that where one person holds power over another, either in fact or perceived, a relationship of mutual consent may be impossible to achieve . . .
It is inappropriate for a rostered minister to date a parishioner or someone working under the minister's supervision within the congregation he or she is serving, until that relationship has ceased for a period of at least one year and after consultation with the synod bishop.
Professional Misconduct: What is Professional/Clergy Misconduct?
Professional/Clergy misconduct is a violation of professional ethics, a violation of personal boundaries, a violation of trust and power. Where an imbalance of power exists, there can be no authentic consensual relationship.
Marie Fortune describes the emotional cost of such violations for the victims including feelings of shame, guilt, stupidity, betrayal, and exploitation. The victims become depressed and lose faith in themselves and their religious convictions . . .
Clergy misconduct is a grave injustice toward another person and an entire religious community. It is a power issue. A sacred trust is violated.
Creating Safe Churches.
While sexual misconduct is not limited to clergy, research indicates that between 10 and 23 percent of clergy (of all faiths) have engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with church members, clients or employees with whom they have a professional relationship.
Because a fiduciary relationship is based on authority, trust and power, it renders sexual misconduct inappropriate and wrong.
Sexual Ethics Welcome Page.
It's about power . . . Clergy misconduct of a sexual nature (clergy sexual misconduct) is about power - power which is abused through sexualized behavior. It is always the PASTOR'S responsibility to ensure that appropriate boundaries are experienced in the pastor-congregant relationship. . . .
Please note that this website is about clergy misconduct of a sexual nature which happens between adults and is not about child sexual abuse . . . We understand that sexual abuse can occur in many different relationships, however, this resource addresses the specific dynamics of the pastor/parishioner relationship.
Sexual Ethics Quarterly eNewsletter. Vol 3 Fall 2007. "Clergy Dating in the Parish."
. . . many United Methodist annual conferences include in their ethics policies an explicit ban against pastor's dating in their congregations.
Guidelines for Policy Against Harassment.
As professional communal leaders, they should remember that their relationships with congregants are not those of equals; any action that seeks to exploit these relationships may constitute a breach of their authority . . . [This includes] activity such as dating during the course of a counseling relationship between a professional employee and a congregant . . .
A Welcome To Survivors of Abuse.
Abuse can take place whether you are a young toddler, a child, a teenager or an adult. You can be married, single or divorced. Abuse can occur against men as well as women. Even priests, seminary students and clergy-wives can be abused . . .
Abuse occurs anytime someone uses their power (spiritual power, political power, physical power, etc.) to manipulate or force another person into submission . . .
The pastoral or professional relationship constitutes a "forbidden zone" which exists because the one in power has a relationship with another based upon trust. No matter who initiates an action or how willing the vulnerable person says he/she is, the [clergyman] always has the responsibility to set appropriate boundaries regardless of the situation or circumstances.