UM Sexual Ethics

A Ministry of the GENERAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS AND ROLE OF WOMEN of The United Methodist Church (UMC)

Do No More Harm: A Complaint Process Guide

We’re glad you found our website.  We’ve discovered that one of the most difficult things in the area of Sexual Ethics and the Church is knowing what the very first steps are, and then what the subsequent actions should be. We’ve organized our website accordingly. The United Methodist Church is committed to preventing misconduct and addressing it when it occurs. We strive to achieve a response that encourages and ensures accountability and healing to all parties. To eradicate sexual harassment and misconduct in The United Methodist Church, every member must get involved.

Do No More Harm

Presented by the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women to provide guidance when there is a concern or complaint of sexual misconduct in The United Methodist Church.
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Q & A With Becky Posey Williams

Becky Posey Williams, Sr. Directory of Sexual Ethics and advocacy from the GCSRW, answered some questions regarding sexual harassment and misconduct by United Methodist leaders.
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UM Sexual Ethics Who Do We Serve and What is our Role

Who Do We Serve & What is our Role?

We serve laity, clergy, church leaders, and anybody who is interested. Our role is to provide resources for how to respond to and prevent sexual misconduct in the United Methodist Church
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A United Methodist Code of Conduct

Most recently, the IASETF has completed the following Code of Conduct for our denomination. Promoting civility, integrity, and respect and grounded in scripture and using seven guiding principles, the Code of Conduct will be a resource reflecting a basic ethical commitment shared by all persons working, worshipping, or visiting a United Methodist Church.

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Church

How the Church Defines Sexual Misconduct

As stated in the UMC Book of Resolutions, “Sexual Misconduct within ministerial relationships is a betrayal of sacred trust. It is a continuum of sexual or gender-directed behaviors by either a lay or clergy person within a ministerial relationship (paid or unpaid). It can include child abuse, adult sexual abuse, harassment, rape or sexual assault, sexualized verbal comments or visuals, unwelcome touching and advances, use of sexualized materials including pornography, stalking, sexual abuse of youth or those without capacity to consent, or misuse of the pastoral or ministerial position using sexualized conduct to take advantage of the vulnerability of another. It includes criminal behaviors in some nations, states, and communities and is a chargeable offense in The United Methodist Church." (2016 Book of Resolutions, #2044)

"Do All The Good You Can, By All The Means You Can, In All The Ways You Can, In All The Places You Can, At All The Times You Can, To All The People You Can, As Long As Ever You Can."

- John Wesley

Picture of woman sitting on park bench

"I'm not sure what to call what just happened to me."

UM Sexual Ethics is here as a resource to help you put language to uncomfortable and inappropriate interactions and behaviors. Our purpose is to help you identify sexual misconduct and to know what steps should be taken depending on your given situation.

Although our website offers a lot of guidance and information, sometimes being able to talk to someone in person is really helpful. We also provide a Toll-free | Confidential #. 800-523-8390


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