ST. JOHN'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
214 W. Seminary Ave.
Lutherville, MD 21093

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY
Adopted December 01, 2008

We recognize that while we are in need of God's redemptive grace, we must remain committed to providing just and merciful responses to instances of sexual misconduct in the church, whether understood to be exploitation, harassment or abuse. We must acknowledge to ourselves and to God the need for restoration of what is broken and lost when any member of the body of Christ is sexually violated be another. We recognize our commissions as members of Christ's body to be healing agents of justice for victims of sexual misconduct, as well as for offenders, families, congregations and others affected by such violations.

The following applies to lay employees and volunteers of the St. John's United Methodist Church, such as committee members, church education leaders and teachers, youth counselors, and youth workers. The moral and ethical expectations for ordained clergy are specified in The Book of Discipline.

Our expectations for healthy ethical conduct include being responsible for avoiding misconduct of a sexual nature by establishing and maintaining appropriate personal and social boundaries in all relationships. We are responsible for the emotional, spiritual, and physical protection of all persons over whom we have any kind of authority or who come to us for that protection.

When we report suspected incidents of sexual misconduct to the proper church authorities, the greatest possible care shall be taken to assure that the least possible additional harm is done to the complainant, respondent, and/or victim(s) and the congregation. In no case is the person reporting expected to judge the validity of the reported complaint.

It is our understanding that misconduct of a sexual nature means any sexual conduct, which is contrary to the ethical principles of the United Methodist Church, as defined by The Book of Discipline, or is unlawful as defined be the laws of the State of Maryland. Misconduct of a sexual nature includes, but is not limited to, sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Sexual Abuse includes criminal sexual conduct or sexual contact by force, threat, or intimidation. As it applies to adult/child or vulnerable person interactions, sexual abuse is the subject of a child or vulnerable adult by any person responsible for their care to any sexual act. To uphold the moral standard of The United Methodist Church as defined by this document and The Book of Discipline, no person less than 18 years of age or any vulnerable adult may give consent to sexual acts. A vulnerable adult shall be defined as a person incapable of self-reporting.

Sexual Harassment is defined by The United Methodist Church in The Book of Discipline as "any unwanted sexual advance or demand, either verbal or physical, which is reasonably perceived by the recipient as demeaning, intimidating or coercive. Sexual harassment must be understood as an exploitation of a power relationship rather than as an exclusively sexual issue. Sexual harassment also includes the creation of a hostile or abusive environment resulting from discrimination on the basis of gender.

Sexual misconduct may also take the form of an abuse of power through sexual contact or activity (not limited to sexual intercourse) which exploits the vulnerability of a parishioner, client, staff person, or causes, or allows those persons to engage in sexual behavior with a person who is in a professional relationship (whether paid or unpaid) to the St. John's United Methodist Church.

Sexual misconduct may also include any sexual contact or activity (not limited to sexual intercourse) between a person in a therapeutic or a counseling role/relationship with a congregant/client. It may include being asked to date the counselor, or any representation by a counselor that sexual contact will help in dealing with the emotional struggles the client is having. Consent by the complainant is not a defense.

Procedures for Reporting and Responding to
Complaints of Sexual Misconduct/Abuse/Harassment:

" Persons desiring to report or discuss a concern regarding sexual misconduct, sexual abuse or sexual harassment may contact their pastor, a member of the Staff/Pastor Parish Committee, or the District Superintendent.

" Persons reporting sexual misconduct, abuse, and/or harassment are assured that the process, as outlined in The Book of Discipline, will be a confidential one; acknowledging that, in accordance with The Book of Discipline, when a report is made the Bishop and District Superintendent must take action upon such a report.

" The provisions within The Book of Discipline shall determine procedures that will be followed in the case of a complaint.

" When an allegation of sexual abuse is subject to mandatory reporting requirements by the state (as in the case of a minor or vulnerable adult), it shall be reported to the Bishop and District Superintendent.

" Persons approached by persons identifying themselves as victims of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, and or sexual harassment by persons within the life of the church shall report the complaint to the pastor, a member of the Staff/Pastor Parish Committee, or the District Superintendent in a timely manner and with a sense of expediency.

" Persons wishing to review procedures outlined in The Book of Discipline shall have access to this material through the church office.