#ChurchTimesUp : Positive Changes/Solutions to eradicate Sexual Abuse in the Church (article 3 of 3)

Hope for POSITIVE CHANGE and SOLUTIONS:

#TimesUp is focused on providing funds to support attorney representation for victims of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. Millions of dollars already pledged.  We are moving into a new era in which sexual abuse is not tolerated in our workplaces.  Let’s hope that will be a new era for the entire society we collectively refer to as Church.

No more abuse of power by clergy for their self-pleasure and gratification. No withholding resources from victims and survivors. No more promotion of predators.

Years ago, when I accepted a bishop’s invitation to assist in writing a clergy sexual ethics policy, I had no idea it would lead me to make the acquaintance of survivors of clergy sexual abuse all over this country in a wide-range of faith traditions; and yet, it did.

I certainly didn’t know it would lead to meeting predators who were hiding in plain sight in those faith traditions; and yet, it did.

I had no idea these experiences would lead to a request to author the SAFE SANCTUARIES series detailing guidelines, resources and facts to protect our most vulnerable.   And yet, it did.

I never expected to vigorously support a hashtag movement.   And yet, it’s time. #TimesUp #ChurchTimesUp

Trends aren’t built from one individual’s idea but millions. Are there millions of us who care about this?  We will find out.

#ChurchTimesUp   

SOLUTIONS – STEPS  

1. Regularly scheduled Clergy Ethics classes – annually, at a minimum
2. Changes in the ways churches and denominations process complaints of clergy sexual misconduct and abuse
3. Changes in the ways churches and denominations process complaints of clergy financial misconduct and abuse
4. Open, continuous and comprehensive news coverage of cases of clergy abuse
5. Adoption of standards of professionalism for clergy use of any and all social media
6. No more secret settlements and non-disclosure agreements in cases

FURTHER RESOURCES:   For United Methodist Churches, there is a set of resources available at umsexualethics.org that can be used to guide and prepare your church to eradicate clergy sexual abuse and misconduct. Check it out.

HOPE: The hope we have is that ALL churches will share in the work of supporting victims of clergy abuse by finding a way to financially support the funding of counseling and attorneys fees.  Let’s make #ChurchTimesUp as useful to victims and survivors of clergy sexual misconduct as #TimesUp is to victims in secular workplaces.