Ford Foundation Grant to Study Clergy Abuse of Women
Don't call it an affair. Call it abuse of power.
Editorial by Professor Diana Garland in the Waco Tribune (January 24, 2010):
"When a religious leader abuses the power a community gives him, it damages the whole community."
Baylor University School of Social Work Conducts National Study of Clergy Sexual Misconduct with Adults
For background on the study, click here.
The study found that 3.1 percent of adult women who attend religious services at least once a month have been the victims of clergy sexual misconduct since turning 18. To explain another way, in the average U.S. congregation of 400 adult members, seven women, on average, have been victimized at some point in their adult lives … According to Dean Diana Garland: "Many people, including the victims themselves, often label incidences of Clergy Sexual Misconduct with adults as 'affairs'. In reality, they are an abuse of spiritual power by the religious leader."
Results from the study will be published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion later this year.
Reaction to Baylor University School of Social Work Study on Clergy Sexual Misconduct
Numerous news outlets have reported on the recently published results of the Baylor research on CSM. Some articles have online reader comments illustrating confusion, disbelief and outright scorn for anyone so victimized by a clergy member. The need for wider public discussion is well illustrated by reactions to this research.
- "Study: Clergy sexual abuse an ongoing problem." The Lutheran (November 2009).
Diana Garland, dean of Baylor's School of Social Work and lead researcher in the study [explained]: "What this research tells us, however, is that clergy sexual misconduct with adults is a widespread problem in congregations of all sizes and occurs across denominations." One of the case studies involved an ELCA member coerced into a sexual relationship by her pastor.
- "Some faith leaders offer women more than prayer." Tell Me More (September 28, 2009).
this begins with … using language that describes what's happened … changing our language would be an important way for us to begin to have these conversations, then, about how we can protect both our leaders and our congregants.
- George E. Hardin. "Pastors' sexual misconduct is widespread, survey says."
Tri-State Defender Online (September 18, 2009).
The research determined that congregations and denominational groups do not always respond in a timely manner … Victims are blamed, discredited and urged to forgive and forget … Even in cases where the pastor is removed or moves on the pattern may persist because past indiscretions are not always a barrier to obtaining a new position.
- Traci Scott. "Sexual harassment continues in churches unaware, unprepared." Oregon Faith Report (September 16, 2009).
[Among the research findings reported in the study]: Religious leaders obtain intimate knowledge about their congregants' personal lives through the various hats they wear, including that of counselor and confidante, which makes congregants vulnerable [and] … Congregations are considered safe sanctuaries, so congregants are more likely to let down their guard with religious leaders than they would with others.
- Jacqueline L. Salmon. "Many women targeted by faith leaders,
survey says." Washington Post (September 10, 2009). Also read over 200 online reader comments on this story.
One in every 33 women who attend worship services regularly has been the target of sexual advances by a religious leader, a survey released Wednesday says. The study, by Baylor University researchers, found that the problem is so pervasive that it almost certainly involves a wide range of denominations, religious traditions and leaders.
- Erin Quinn. "Baylor study reveals sexual misconduct by clergy more common than many realize."
Waco Tribune-Herald (September 10, 2009).
Diana Garland … [has] studied congregational social work for the last 30 years … "I got tired of watching congregations destroyed by this," she said. "I got tired of seeing survivors and their families thrown into crisis and lose their communities, and even lose their families." … Garland said she was surprised by the magnitude of the problem and "had never imagined the extent."
- Ken Camp. "Baylor study reveals prevalence of clergy sexual misconduct with adults." Baptist Standard (September 10, 2009).
"We knew anecdotally that clergy sexual misconduct with adults is a huge problem, but we were surprised it is so prevalent across all denominations, all religions, all faith groups, all across the country," said lead researcher Diana Garland …
Background on Baylor University's Clergy Sexual Abuse Research
Baylor University has received a $200,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to conduct the first national research on clergy sexual abuse of adults.
According to Dean Diana Garland of Baylor's School of Social Work the goals of this research project include:
- to determine the prevalence of clergy sexual abuse of adults
- to teach religious leaders, congregants and the general public that sexual activity between a religious leader and a congregant cannot be considered consensual
- to communicate to survivors and their families that they are not alone and that they deserve support and professional care
- In an article in the Baylor alumni newsletter
Between the Lines Professor Garland further states:
Another goal for the study is to develop model legislation to make clergy sexual abuse illegal in all fifty states.
- Results of the Baylor study of Clergy Sexual Misconduct (CSM) are beginning to appear on the Baylor webpage. The research team states:
We believe that understanding the processes of CSM is essential before public understanding of this situation will shift the language and perception from "affair" to "abuse of power."
Contact Dean Diana Garland at the Baylor School of Social Work for further information on this research project.