If you have experienced sexual misconduct in the church call our confidential toll-free number 1-800-523-8390 for support.
If you have experienced sexual misconduct in the church call our confidential toll-free number 1-800-523-8390 for support.
If you have experienced sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, or gender-based discrimination in the UMC, you have the right to make a complaint for the sake of healing and accountability.
Sexual misconduct
whether by clergy, ministerial leaders, or lay members, is a CHARGEABLE OFFENSE in The United Methodist Church. This means there’s a clear process for reporting misconduct and seeking a response from church leaders that is directed toward repairing harm, achieving real accountability by making things right as far as possible, and bringing healing to those who have been impacted.
It is helpful to know that there is a distinction between reporting harm to someone as a first step in seeking support and making a formal complaint, which initiates a defined process for institutional accountability.
The difference between a report and complaint is procedural. A report is informal. It’s a way of letting someone know that something has happened and of asking for their help. This is a good first step when you’re not sure yet what you want or need, when you’re open to non-punitive outcomes (such as a sincere apology and commitment to stop the harm), and/or when you trust that the response within your local community will be supportive and meaningful. You can check out our SUGGESTIONS FOR SEEKING SUPPORT.
A complaint
is a formal allegation that someone has committed a chargeable offense. It’s a way to create a record of alleged misconduct and to ensure that people with institutional authority know about and take responsibility for allegations of concerning or harmful behavior. It is usually necessary to engage in a complaint process to reach an outcome that involves disciplinary or punitive consequences, such as termination of employment, surrendering clergy credentials, or removal from membership.
The decision to make a report or complaint can be a heavy one, but it is not one you have to make alone, and you can get support throughout any complaint process. If you want help thinking through your options, you can call GCSRW at 1-800-523-8390.
A complaint is a written and signed statement claiming misconduct as defined by church law (see the full list of chargeable offenses. To make a complaint, write a letter to the bishop or district superintendent in your local area that gives basic information about what happened. You do not have to provide all evidence and details in your initial letter, but it would be helpful to be as clear as possible about the nature of the harm and how it relates to one or more of the chargeable offenses. If you need help, call GCSRW.
Please be advised that there is a statute of limitations for complaints in the UMC. Complaints must be filed within six years of the time the offense was committed. There is, however, an exception for cases of sexual or child abuse, for which there is no time limitation.
Complaint Process
After receiving a complaint, the bishop will write to both parties (i.e., the person who made the complaint and the person against whom the complaint was made) to confirm that a complaint has been received and to inform the parties of the process that will be followed.
When a complaint is against a clergyperson, the first part of the process is the bishop’s supervisory response. The bishop has 90 days to seek further information and work with the parties to determine appropriate next steps. When the parties are willing to do so, the bishop may initiate a “just resolution” process, which is a mediated attempt for the parties to seek mutual agreement about how to repair harm, make things rights, and bring healing. When parties are open to seeking a just resolution, the process must involve the use of a trained, impartial, third-party facilitator (if this does not happen, you may call GCSRW for support).
Dismissing the complaint with the consent of the cabinet, giving the reasons in writing and placing a copy in the clergyperson’s file
Initiating a mediated attempt to produce a just resolution, or
Referring the matter to counsel for the Church as a judicial complaint (prompting a formal investigation, with the potential of charges that could lead to a church trial).
You Are Not Alone
When you make a complaint, you have the right to be accompanied by a support person for any meeting related to the complaint. Your support person has the right to voice, meaning they can speak on your behalf. It is not correct if someone ever tells you that you must go to a meeting alone. You always have the right to support, and if you need support exercising your rights, please call GCSRW.
