Episcopal Diocese of Albany - Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures Manual

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

Introduction | Policy Statements | Definitions | Procedures | Covenant For Sexual Responsibility

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT means any:

a. Sexual abuse or sexual molestation of any person, including but not limited to, any sexual involvement or sexual contact with a person who is a minor or who is legally incompetent. Sexual abuse is a criminal offense in all jurisdictions in this diocese and must be reported to law enforcement officials. It is Diocesan policy to make such reports immediately and to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in investigating any allegations of sexual abuse.

b. Sexual harassment in a situation where there is an employment, mentor or colleague relationship between the persons involved, including but not limited to, sexually-oriented humor or language; questions or comments about sexual behavior or preference unrelated to employment qualifications; undesired physical contact; in-appropriate comments about clothing or physical appearance; or repeated requests for social engagements.

c. Sexual exploitation, including but not limited to, the development of or the attempt to develop a sexual relationship between a cleric, employee or volunteer and a person with whom he/she has a pastoral relationship, whether or not there is apparent consent from the individual. Sexual exploitation includes, but is not limited to, activity such as intercourse, kissing, touching breasts or genitals, dating during the course of a counseling relationship, verbal suggestions of sexual involvement or sexually demeaning comments.

PASTORAL RELATIONSHIP means:

A relationship between a cleric, employee or volunteer and any person to whom such cleric, employee or volunteer provides counseling, pastoral care, spiritual direction or spiritual guidance or from whom such cleric, employee or volunteer has received confession or confidential or privileged information.

VOLUNTEER means:

A person including an ordained priest or deacon who, although not an employee of the Diocese, parish, or other Diocesan or parish organization or entity, works regularly with youth as a part of the ministry of the Church.

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