New Report on Clergy Sexual Misconduct (CSM)
Baylor University has teamed up with the Ford Foundation in researching Clergy Sexual Misconduct (CSM). This new term, “Clergy Sexual Misconduct” is become the official terminology in describing the violent sexual abuse by pastors against women and children that happens way too often in way too many of our churches, temples and other places of worship.
If you have any interest in clergy sexual misconduct (CSM), you MUST check out this website:
http://www.baylor.edu/clergysexualmisconduct/
In searching for my own answers many years ago as to the why, and how, and how could God allow ”this” to happen to me, at my church, at any church, at a time when we are so “advanced” in our thinking about violence against women and children in this country, the Lord gave me Psalm 27:13,14:
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
I believe the Lord is taking action through this research study. The “goodness of the Lord” for all victims of clergy sexual misconduct is upon us in the land of the living. For all those nay-sayers who told me I would have to wait until I died to see any justice in my case, I can only say, watch for the goodness of the Lord.
One of the goals of this study is to make CSM a household term, and to change the terrible misconception that CSM is an “affair” to the reality that it is “abuse of power”…and should be deemed criminal.
Thank you Diana Garland for your courage and determination with this project, and for all who participated to make it happen. Thanks especially to the Ford Foundation for their funds in making it come to fruition. Praise God.
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
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June 24th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Thanks for the encouragement! Clergy sexual misconduct is a subject many Christians–especially Christian leaders–don’t like to talk about. They don’t like to hear about it either. They would rather the victims keep silent. That is part of their cover up efforts. Keep the victims silent.
Since so many Christian leaders have acted deplorably in handling clergy sexual misconduct cases, the victim/survivors cannot afford to keep silent. Sharon’s “rose” is Sharon’s “voice” speaking out. I hope all victim/survivors of clergy sexual misconduct will find their voice…and let’s be heard; if not by Church leaders, then whoever will listen. God has been listening. He will not let this terrible injustice go.