A023 (Authorize and Support the use of the Best Practices Guide and Model Anti-Harassment Policy )

House of Deputies Message #109

The House of Deputies informs the House of Bishops that on Jun 24, 2024 it considered resolution A023 (Authorize and Support the use of the Best Practices Guide and Model Anti-Harassment Policy ). The house acted to:

Adopt with Amendment


Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention adopt the Best Practices Guide and Model Anti-Harassment Policy available through Praesidium Academy as a support document on this resolution or viewable as a supplementary material in the Report to the 81st General Convention of the Interim Body to Oversee the Continuing Development of Anti-Harassment Best Practices, Model Policy Examples  and Varied Training Materials; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention direct the Executive Council to provide for the support and encouragement of the use and adaptation of the Model Policy to Prevent Harassment by dioceses, congregations, and affiliated institutions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Best Practices Guide and Model Policy be hosted on the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society [DFMS] Safe Church website. The website shall be adapted and monitored so that it becomes a site for on-going creation and curation of feedback from experimental use and local adaptation of the Best Practices Guide and Model Policy throughout TEC during the next triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, congregations, and affiliated institutions report their feedback and recommendations for further development on the basis of their practice to the DFMS hosted Safe Church website; and be it further

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention of commit itself to the financial support of the continuing development of these materials, and training, as an element of its efforts to advance clergy wellness and reduce liability, as well as to the ability of all members of the Church to live into the Baptismal Covenant, seeking and serving Christ in all persons; and be it further

Resolved, That $75,000 be budgeted for this work over the next triennium. That the 81st General Convention request that the Executive Council Joint Subcommittee on Finance consider a budget allocation of $75,000 for the implementation of this resolution.