Sexual Misconduct with Congregants or Parishioners: Crafting a Model Statute

British Journal of American Legal Studies, Vol. 1, No. 189, 2012

28 Pages Posted: 12 Apr 2012

See all articles by Bradley J. B. Toben

Bradley J. B. Toben

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Kris Helge

University of North Texas; Texas Wesleyan University School of Law

Date Written: April 12, 2012

Abstract

Contemporary studies and the media focus on children as the victims of the sexual misconduct by clergy from various religions but such misconduct can be directed towards adult congregants or parishioners and frequently occurs when the relationship is one where consent might not easily be refused. Several state legislatures have attempted to craft statutes that provide civil remuneration for the victims or criminal punishments for the assailing clergy. However, the majority of these statutes have been deemed unconstitutional because they, in effect, require a court to interpret and redirect church policy. This article proposes a model statute that focuses upon the position and authority of the clergyperson and the consequent vulnerability or susceptibility of the alleged victim as the predicates for the sexual misconduct, and not on the fact that the actor is a member of the clergy, performing his or her clerical duties, or in any other manner forcing a court to interpret church policy or doctrine.

Keywords: clergy, sexual misconduct, first amendment, model statute

Suggested Citation

Toben, Bradley J. B. and Helge, Kris, Sexual Misconduct with Congregants or Parishioners: Crafting a Model Statute (April 12, 2012). British Journal of American Legal Studies, Vol. 1, No. 189, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2038986

Bradley J. B. Toben

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Kris Helge (Contact Author)

University of North Texas ( email )

1155 Union Circle #305340
Denton, TX 76203
United States
817-369-7815 (Phone)

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law ( email )

1201 Wesleyan St
Fort Worth, TX 76105
United States

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