CLERGY SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SURVIVORS GATHER AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK:

I was flown to Waco, Texas last Wednesday, along with 4 other survivors, to meet with Dr. Diana Garland and the rest of the research team to discuss the national study on Clergy Sexual Misconduct. The results were absolutely amazing and will be made public very soon. As Phase II participants in this study, we had the opportunity to share our stories with Dr. Garland last summer. The stories of CSM survivors are vitally important to put a face on this tragic, devastating problem. Dr. Garland and the rest of her team at Baylor are currently working towards public presentation of both the study results and the stories of survivors to educate the public and bring attention to this issue. I am honored to have been included in this effort to educate the public, explore prevention strategies and move towards legislation to hold the clergy to the same ethical standards that doctors, lawyers, and mental health practitioners must adhere to. The time I spent at Baylor University was deeply rewarding. It was wonderful to meet the other survivors - couragious ladies who have so much to share and hold such passion for this project. I pray that this will bring about a change in the way victims are treated and cause legislation to be enacted that will protect all people of faith in the United States.