The Anglican Diocese of Toronto is committed to ensuring that clergy and those responsible for liturgical, pastoral, education or recreational activities maintain the highest ethical standards of mutual respect, responsibility and caring, as well as modeling wholeness and healthy sexuality in all their relationships with those for whom they have responsibility.
The Diocese has addressed this commitment in the following ways:
The policy applies to every bishop, priest, deacon or lay person under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Diocese of Toronto. Adherence to the policy is mandatory. All clergy, employed staff members and volunteers of the diocese, its parishes and agencies, are expected to be familiar with the policy, consent to it and abide by it.
What is sexual misconduct?
• Sexual harassment is vexatious comments or conduct that is known, or ought reasonably to be known, as unwelcome. It is behaviour that has the effect of undermining, coercing intimidating, humiliating or demeaning someone on the basis of sex. It may have the effect of creating a workplace or ministry that is hostile or offensive. It can occur in or outside the office or church building and is not limited to work or ministry related activity.
• Sexual exploitation is taking advantage of the vulnerability of an adult where there is a fiduciary or pastoral relationship. It includes any form of sexual contact or invitation to sexual contact with an adult by a professional, a member of clergy or anyone in a position of power, whether or not there is consent.
• Sexual assault includes sexual offences as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada and sexual abuse of children as defined in the Ontario Child and Family Services Act.
Exploitation of trust through sexual activity, touching for sexual purposes, or the suggestion or depiction of any such activity, will not be tolerated, and is to be reported to the Diocesan Canon Pastor, Archdeacon Judy Walton at her confidential telephone number, 705-446-1946
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What should I do if I think I have been subjected to or suspect sexual harassment or exploitation?
If you believe you suspect sexual misconduct or have been sexually harassed or exploited, you can make a complaint to the Canon Pastor (the diocesan official responsible for the sexual misconduct policy).
Suspected child abuse must be reported to a Children’s Aid Society. There is a special obligation on clergy and professionals to report child abuse.
For sexual harassment there are three alternative courses of action that may be followed:
- It is possible, on the agreement of both the complainant and the respondent, to attempt to resolve the problem through an informal process facilitated by a diocesan resource person.
- It is also possible for the diocese to refer the matter to mediation. Again this happens only if both parties consent.
- The third option is a formal process with an investigation.
- In all cases, support persons are offered to each of the parties involved.
- The final decision on complaints is made by the Diocesan Bishop.
- The Diocesan Congregational Response Team can help guide parishes affected by a complaint of sexual misconduct.
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Who do I call for help or information?
If you have questions about the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy, you can contact the Canon Pastor, Archdeacon Judy Walton, Tel. 705-446-1946.
For information on the Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith program, please review the Screening section of this web site or contact the Screening Coordinator at 416-363-6021 (1-800-688-8932) ext. 241.
If the concern is about child abuse, call the Children’s Aid Society:
- Ontario Association of Children’s Aid’s Societies: 416-987-7725
- Durham Region: 905-433-1551
- Haliburton: 705-743-9751
- Halton: 905-333-4441
- Muskoka: 705-645-4426
- Northumberland: 905-372-1821
- Peel Region: 905-363-6131
- Toronto: 416-924-4646
- York Region: 800-718-3850
If the matter concerns a possible offence under the Criminal Code, call the Police.
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