Sexual Misconduct Reporting
The Arkansas Conference’s Sexual Misconduct Policy ensures that a safe and supportive environment exists for everyone within the Conference structure, both clergy and laity.
Misconduct of a sexual nature is any conduct that involves sexual abuse, sexual harassment or sexualized behavior between a person in a ministerial role (pastor, educator, counselor, youth leader or other position of leadership) and a person in a role such as congregant, client, employee, student, staff member, co-worker, volunteer, person being counseled or any other person to whom the minister relates in his/her capacity as a minister.
Confidential reports and/or complaints of sexual misconduct should be made directly to the appropriate person: Alleged misconduct of a church staff member should be reported to the chair of the staff/parish relations committee; of a pastor to the district superintendent; of a district superintendent to the bishop; of a bishop to the president of the Jurisdictional College of Bishops.
Your Conference leaders stand ready to help with any questions or issues you may have. Their contact information can be found below:
- Bishop Laura Merrill (bishop.merrill@arumc.org; 501-324-8019)
- Jim Polk, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministry (jim.polk@arumc.org; 501-324-8042)
- The District Superintendent of your area (to find their contact information, please click here)
- To reach the confidential number for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, dial (800) 523-8390.
For more on the United Methodist Church’s policy on sexual ethics, visit resourceumc.org/en/partners/um-sexual-ethics/home. For “Do No More Harm,” a comprehensive resource relating to the complaint process for sexual misconduct from the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the United Methodist Church, visit donomoreharm.org.