Confidentiality Statement: The victim, the accused and other involved parties are entitled to confidentiality within the limits of an ongoing investigation and respect for the victim’s privacy.
A. Pastoral Care to the Victim
If the victim is a child, the Bishop or his/her designee will ensure the required reporting to the proper authorities has occurred and that cooperation in the ensuring investigation is taking place.
The Bishop or his/her designee shall try to respond to the victim(s) of abuse by naming an appropriate person for advocacy and support during the investigation and resolution process. The advocate’s role is to listen and support the victim and family members. The advocate may make referrals to and encourage participation in all available therapeutic treatment and other support resources.
Personal contact, including phone calls and in-person contact with the victim, child or adult, and the family of the victim should be made as soon as possible within the framework of any ongoing law enforcement investigation. It is important to maintain ongoing follow-up contact with the victim and the family to assess changing needs and concerns of the victim and his/her support system.
B. Pastoral Care to the Victim’s Family
The Bishop or her/his designee should attempt to meet, as soon as possible, with the victim’s family in order to assess the whole family’s needs. It is important to maintain an ongoing supportive relationship to all involved as the investigation and resolution process can take many months to reach closure. A pastoral contact should be assigned to stand by/be with the family throughout the investigation and resolution process.
C. Pastoral Care to the Congregation
Particular care should be paid to the congregational community as they, too, suffer when one of its clergy, paid employees, or volunteers is accused of, convicted of, or admits to sexual misconduct. The Bishop or her/his designee should meet with the wardens and/or congregation in order to inform them that an investigation of alleged sexual abuse or misconduct is taking place. The Bishop or designee will outline the necessary diocesan procedures.
The congregation should be cautioned against gossip and rumor while being assured that they will be apprised of the progress of the investigation as appropriate within the bounds of confidentiality of all parties and any ongoing investigation.
Within the bounds of confidentiality, the Bishop or designee shall meet with the congregation and communicate the final results of the process, with special attention paid to the implications of disciplinary action if taken. The Diocese may make available a trained resource person who can assist the congregation to address their concerns and bring healing to them.
Liturgical resources for healing in a congregation should be made available with guidance and support for their use as needed.
D. Pastoral Care to Colleagues and the Wider Church
Pastoral care to colleagues and the wider church community is a corporate responsibility. Part of the ongoing healing ministry of the church is to acknowledge our weaknesses and to teach each other about power, healthy relationships, and sexuality. It is understood that a person is innocent until proven otherwise. To promote mutual support, those informed of the allegations should be admonished against gossip and rumor. Colleagues of the accused will be kept apprised of the progress of the investigation as necessary within the bounds of confidentiality, any ongoing investigation, and the wishes of the victim.
E. Pastoral Care to the Accused
Confronting any person, ordained or lay, with an accusation of sexual misconduct which may lead to disciplinary action is a difficult task. This is particularly true when the person is a friend and/or colleagues. This discussion should be seen as a pastoral and caring act, providing for the common good of the church and also offering the possibility for restoration and healing within the church community.
The Bishop or his/her designee will appoint a pastoral care provider for the accused for the purpose of support during the investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct. The accused will be informed of the process of the investigation including the commitment to confidentiality within the bounds of any ongoing investigation.
Where allegations have been substantiated, confession and acknowledgement of responsibility by the offender should be regarded as the necessary first step in any possible restoration to ministry. However, confession and absolution should be conducted with care and cannot be considered the sole basis for restoration. Therapeutic evaluation as well as treatment, if deemed necessary, is required for restoration to ministry.
F. Pastoral Care to the Family of the Accused
The Bishop or his/her designee should ensure that pastoral contact and support are offered to the family at the request of the accused, or as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Bishop or designee. This provider of pastoral care shall be someone other than the one attending the victim’s family.