The Methodist Church has published a set of good practice guidelines for churches to raise awareness of sexual harassment, support victims, and bring about a change in culture to ensure all churches are caring communities, where people safely meet for worship, sharing and learning.
In the foreword to the guidelines and in a short film to go with them, the Revd Dr Barbara Glasson, President of the Conference, says:
“In these guidelines the Methodist Church is stepping forward to enable a safer worshipping and working environment for all associated with its work. More than this, it is aiming to initiate a change of mind-set and behaviours to take responsibility away from victims and bring those who harass to task.”
Guidelines
Download the guidelines here.
A printed version of the guidelines was sent out across the Connexion in late August/early September. If you require additional copies, they can be ordered as a free resource through the Methodist Publishing website.
Additional resources
Further resources and information to complement these guidelines can be found as follows:
SafeguardingThe Safeguarding policy of the Methodist Church can be found here.
In addition, there is advice from HM Government regarding information sharing for practitioners involved in safeguarding. This can be downloaded here.
Complaints and DisciplineThe Methodist Church Complaints and Discipline procedures can be found here.
ConfidentialityA summary of the Methodist Church guidance on confidentiality can be found here, and the Methodist Church guidelines can be downloaded here: Guidelines for Good Practice in Confidentiality and Pastoral Care (Pdf)
The guidelines are taken from a report which offers guidance for good practice in matters of confidentiality for anyone who exercises a pastoral role (lay, ordained, paid or voluntary) on behalf of the Methodist Church. This can be downloaded below in full or in part: With Integrity and Skill (Pdf)
In addition, there is some further guidance on recording of pastoral work which can be downloaded here: Guidance on recording of Pastoral Work (Word doc)
As directed by the 2017 Methodist Church Conference this guidance has been placed on the Methodist website alongside the existing guidelines for Good Practice in Confidentiality and Pastoral Work (Part 14 CPD). This guidance was extracted from the Past Cases Review Implementation Group, 2017 Conference Report.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Methodist Church takes seriously issues of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. More can be found here, including an EDI toolkit for use by individuals and groups.
Positive Working Together
The Methodist Church has guidelines on working together in ways which eradicate bullying and harassment from our working relationships.
Other resources referred to in the guidelines
Other related resources:
- A Spirituality of Survival: enabling response to trauma and abuse: Barbara Glasson, Continuum, 2009
- Declaring the Church’s Response to Survivors of Abuse: Methodist Safeguarding Conference 2017 Report and papers
- Equally Safe at Work an accredited programme to support employers to improve their employment practice to advance gender equality at work, and prevent violence against women.
- #MeToo Toolkit – resources for a faithful response: General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, The United Methodist Church, USA.
- Out of Control – couples, conflict and the capacity for change: Natalie Collins, SPCK