The Church and #MeToo

The #metoo movement has been prominent in the media over the last several weeks. At the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards, in news stories and countless facebook posts (including female clergy) it has been hard to ignore. The issue isn't new. In the Presbyterian Church in Canada all clergy must take training in our denomination’s Sexual Harassment Policy at seminary, and I’ve taken it and led training with youth, young adults and adults.

This is not going to go away – both the rising backlash from women who are tired of not being taken seriously and properly cared for by the system (and men too, for that matter) and the need to work against a culture that has enabled people to be seen as objects to be used. My prayer is that we move closer to a society where the latter is rare and this kind of toxic behaviour is no longer tolerated or celebrated in entertainment and other venues. The church has a unique role to play in this healing process. What can we do? What follows isn’t an exhaustive list, but certainly a place to start:

1. Silence and secrecy are far too often our response to difficult topics like this. We feel uncomfortable, and we know that handling these situations bears a cost. It can be exhausting to deal with the fall-out and to maintain confidentiality when church members and possibly leaders and clergy themselves are involved. But this is a cop-out, as the long-term costs far out-weigh the short-term. We need to confront the silence, create safe space for listening and understanding, and to know our denominational policies and community resources to handle this well.  

2. The statistics are shockingly high of how many women have experienced sexual harassment and abuse. Men don’t trail far behind, and this needs to be recognized. With such a huge problem that can have life-long traumatic consequences, we need to be talking about it and educating our people about it. Exactly what constitutes sexual harassment? How do we know when we are crossing a line and possibly hurting someone else? Knowledge can lead to understanding and change.

3. As we have seen with Patrick Brown and others, the culture has shifted from relying on due process of the judicial system (which often results in even more abuse to endure on the part of victims) to making allegations in the media. This results in recrimination of the accused and possibly ending their career, not to mention marking them with a target. We need to be very careful to follow due process, to respect the needs and rights of both the alleged victims and accused. Again, know your policy and model care and respect for all parties as well as their families who will be impacted as well.

4. There is so much negativity, pain and sorrow around this issue. As the church, we need to be messengers of hope, of the possibility for healing and even forgiveness and reconciliation. Much as we need to name and call out behaviour that goes against how Christ would have us treat each other, we also need to name and model healthy and positive behaviour. I wish everyone could have watched at least one game of mixed doubles curling with our Canadian team who won gold. The respect, teamwork, communication and support to achieve a common goal was exemplary of any good relationship. Let us lift up couples and friends who treat each other well.

5. It is never too early to start talking with children and youth about how to treat people as Jesus would. It is never too early to talk about safe people to share with when things don’t feel right or good in friendships or other relationships. With youth, there is much fodder for discussion in current television shows and books. Talk about how the characters treat each other, how decisions are made that influence both partners in a relationship, and what kind of relationships/friendships they wish to have. How would God want them to be in a relationship? 

6. As well as letting our learners and congregational members know where to go to get help for themselves, we can also equip them to be good listeners when they encounter those who share their own story of harassment or abuse. We can be beacons of hope by listening and encouraging these people to seek counseling and other support so that they can heal.

We have a responsibility to hear the voices of those who suffer and to respond with Christ's love and care. We have a responsibility to show compassion to those who struggle with how to behave appropriately. May the church play a major role in fixing what is broken in our world so that more people can experience healing and freedom.