Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy

PREAMBLE

The Progressive Christian Alliance in an effort to further the peace, unity and purity of the church through the prevention and remediation of sexual misconduct within the church, has adopted the following policy. This policy applies to all minister members of The Progressive Christian Alliance. Others who serve the church, paid and volunteer, are under the jurisdiction of the council of the particular congregation. 

I. PURPOSE

To define sexual misconduct by affiliate ministers of The Progressive Christian Alliance and to describe the procedures for reporting sexual misconduct to the Leadership Council.

II. DEFINITION OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Sexual misconduct in the ministerial relationship is an abuse of authority and power, breaching Christian ethical principles by sexually misusing a trust relationship to gain advantage over another for personal gratification in an exploitative and unjust manner. It is the comprehensive term used in this policy to include: sexual abuse of children or adults, rape or sexual assault, and sexual harassment. 

Sexual abuse occurs whenever a person in a position of trust engages in a sexual act or sexual contact with another person to whom he or she owes a professional responsibility, with or without consent. Such abuse shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 

  • Sexual acts or sexual contact with a minor.
  • Sexual acts or sexual contact involving inducement, threat, coercion, force, violence, or intimidation of another person.
  • Sexual acts or sexual contact between ministers and laity with whom they have a professional relationship. This includes consensual physical relationships. Sexual relationships even when consensual are troubling regardless of whether pastoral care is involved because of the imbalance of power between the minister and the lay person undermines the validity of such consent. While we recognize that attractions may develop between clergy and laity; pursuit of such a relationship should be done under counsel of other clergy and The Progressive Christian Alliance leadership.
  • Sexual acts or sexual contact with another person who is incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct or physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating unwillingness to engage in, that sexual act or sexual contact.
  • Sexual acts or sexual contact arising from the administration to the other person of a drug or intoxicant which substantially impairs the ability of that person to appraise or control the nature of the contact.
  • Compelling another person to view child or adult pornographic media or websites.

III. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Child sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, any contact or interaction between a child and an adult when the child is being used for the sexual stimulation of the adult person or of a third person. The behavior may or may not involve touching. Child sexual abuse between an adult and a child is always considered forced whether or not consented to by the child. Child sexual abuse is a crime in all states and must be reported to civil authorities. Anyone who knows or has reason to suspect that child abuse has occurred or is occurring generally may be a mandated reporter under the law.

IV. RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

Rape or sexual assault is a crime in every state and should be reported to civil authorities and to the stated clerk of the Leadership Council.

V. SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment demeans the dignity of those we serve and our peers, through unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually degrading visual, verbal, or physical contact. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to misconduct in the form of: 

  • Unwanted touching, of a person’s body, hair, or clothing with a body part, or object.
  • Unwanted hugging, kissing, massaging , patting, or pinching another.
  • Standing close to, brushing up against, or an intentional collision with another person.
  • Invading another’s personal space, including leaning over, or cornering.
  • Touching or rubbing oneself in an erogenous area or with sexual overtones near another person.
  • Sexual gesturing, facial expressions or noisemaking.
  • Comments which sexualize or objectify another’s appearance, including but not limited to their body, in whole or part, manner of walk, bending over, or lifting.
  • Calling someone by a name that is improper, demeaning, or sexually suggestive.
  • Sharing the personal information or likeness of another, with the intent to embarrass or humiliate.