In the course of a recent week, these two things happened: The Washington Post ran a front-page story blasting the investigation of last year's Tailhook Navy sex scandal; and I learned through friends that three church leaders have admitted to sexual abuse of individuals under their care.
My response was telling. I had not been surprised to learn last year that at least 26 women had been assaulted by a gauntlet of naval aviators at the Tailhook convention in Las Vegas. Though the details of what was done to the victims were appalling, such outrageous acts seemed inevitable in a military institution built on male power, hierarchy, and absolute authority.
Nor was I surprised that the investigation of the incident was plagued by stonewalling and cover-ups, and paralyzed by Navy leaders' efforts to protect senior officers and civilians who may have been involved in the scandal. What I did find astounding was that the Pentagon itself assailed the Navy leadership involved in the investigation, forcing the retirement of two top officials and the reassignment of another.
What further consequences there may be remain to be seen. But, at least for the moment, the military in this case appears to be serious about exposing and addressing sexual harassment and abuse in its midst.
It was more difficult to know what to feel about the revelation of sexual misconduct so close in the church. All three of the men involved are individuals whom I have respected and learned from--pastors and teachers of the gospel, of community, and of peacemaking.
PROFESSIONAL SEXUAL ABUSE is not new, of course. In recent years it has been revealed as widespread among physicians, therapists, and pastors. Dr. Peter Rutter, author of Sex in the Forbidden Zone, writes that conservative estimates suggest that several million women in this country have been sexually victimized in relationships of trust (though there are exceptions, the vast majority of cases of professional sexual abuse involve male perpetrators and female victims).
It may seem that such professionals should be among the last to be involved in such activity; but in fact the very nature of their relationships with clients creates an imbalance of power that makes sexual abuse possible. Women who seek physical, psychological, or spiritual aid are in a vulnerable position in which trust can be readily exploited.
The betrayal is especially deep when a pastor is involved. It is difficult for a victim to believe that violation could come from someone who is empowered to be a representative of Christ and the church. Victims often keep silent--blaming themselves, or afraid their word will not be believed over that of a respected church leader, fearing that they will lose their church community if they come forward.
Some women have been ostracized for their speaking of the truth. Others have received sympathy, but little justice. Typically, an offending pastor is simply moved to another parish.
But this is changing as the society--and the church--comes to accept that the problem is real, and growing. Several denominations have developed policies and procedures to give guidance to their congregations.
The Mennonite Central Committee has created a comprehensive packet of resources on professional sexual abuse and pioneered efforts in congregational healing following incidents of it. MCC has jumped into the thorny terrain of the tension surrounding justice on one hand and forgiveness on the other, recommending a model that advocates for the victim, forces the offender to take responsibility for the human cost of his abuse, and works toward healing and reconciliation.
These are difficult issues that the church must face. We can (perhaps for the only time in history) take a cue from the Pentagon in its insistence that sexual abuse be exposed, no matter who must fall. But after demanding justice and reparation, we must go a step further, believing that offenders are our brothers and can be brought back into the family, healed.
And we must continue to work to change the structures that still have the church looking too much like the military, with its insistence on dominance of male power and authority. Until the church experiences a radical power shift, sexual abuse will continue to be as much a scandal in pastors' offices as it was in a Las Vegas hotel last year.
Joyce Hollyday was associate editor of Sojourners when this article appeared.
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