New Diocesan Mothers’ Union President Commissioned; Clergy sexual abuse raised as issue at UN meeting; Motherhood, the career that dare not speak its name; Online bullying victims suffering in silence
New Diocesan Mothers’ Union President Commissioned
In Cork, Cloyne and Ross, on Saturday 16th March, Patsy Devoy was commissioned as the new Mothers’ Union Diocesan President.
Oriel Lester was also commissioned as Diocesan Secretary, Hazel Sherlock as Marketing Co-ordinator and the Rev Isobel Jackson as Diocesan Chaplain. Phyllis Grothier (Mothers’ Union All-Ireland President) was present, as was Reg Bailey (Mothers’ Union CEO) who preached on the theme of servant leadership.
During his time in Cork Mr Bailey addressed a meeting which had been organised by a team from the Parents and Kids Together (PACT) programme, that is part of the YMCA. Mr Bailey explained the Bye Buy Childhood Campaign and the Bailey Review – the latter is an independent review for the UK Government on the commercialisation and premature sexualisation of childhood. Round-table discussions together with a plenary session clearly indicated the need for more education and communication on these topics. The session was attended by youth workers from a number of agencies as well as parents and grandparents.
Clergy sexual abuse raised as issue at UN meeting
At a time of widespread scandals over clergy sex abuse, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) have called for professional standards of clergy accountability at an international forum on violence against women.
In a lively event with more than 50 participants in New York City last week, the issue of abuse of women by members of the clergy was highlighted at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 57th session on the elimination of violence against women. The current session of the CSW will conclude on 15 March.
Presentations centred on a new WCC and WSCF book titled When Pastors Prey, edited by Valli Boobal Batchelor. It is among the few books currently on the market to examine the issue in its personal, ecclesial, legal and theological dimensions and to offer specific guidelines for dealing with clergy “sextortion.”
Dr Fulata Mbano-Moyo, WCC programme executive for Women in Church and Society, and WSCF general secretary Christine Housel joined Batchelor to express hope of ending such violence, especially through joint projects and advocacy.
The book launch also featured a presentation from the Rev. Dr Marie Fortune, founder of FaithTrust Institute, Seattle, who has done pioneering work in the field.
While clergy abuse of children has received worldwide attention from media and legal authorities, little has been written about the more widespread phenomenon of clergy abuse of adult women, said Batchelor. “This prophetic project breaks the silence and gathers the resources to address a problem that undermines the very foundations of pastoral work and institutional Christianity,” she said.
Calling it “a problem that undermines the gospel itself,” the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit welcomed the project, noting that “Christian community and witness hinge hugely on the personal integrity of professionals in ministry. Yet that bond is severed by sexual exploitation and abuse, a phenomenon sadly present in the Christian churches around the world.”
The volume features a prologue by former United States President Jimmy Carter, who situates the publication in the light of a history of religious mistreatment and devaluation of women and their gifts.
When Pastors Prey relates the stories of women whose trust has been abused by their pastors. It also offers a helpful procedural and legal framework in which to understand and address the problem.
“Ultimately, clergy sexual abuse of women is but the most horrific expression of longstanding Christian misunderstanding and mistreatment of women,” said Batchelor.
“This volume illuminates not only the phenomenon but its roots and — in brave hope — its cures.”
Although media attention to the problem is encouraging, said Fortune, “We cannot guarantee that leaders will not abuse power. But we can guarantee that when that happens, the faith communities and institutions will be there to support the abused and accompany them to healing, including justice for the perpetrator.”
When Pastors Prey: Overcoming Clergy Sexual Abuse of Women is available from 1 April and can be ordered from WCC Publications distributors: www.isbs.com in North America and www.gazellebookservices.co.uk in the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as online retailers.
Online bullying victims suffering in silence
Many teenagers who have experienced online bullying are choosing to keep it to themselves rather than tell someone about it.
According to a survey by Opinium for Knowthenet.org, only 37% reported the abuse to the social network they had experienced it through.
Over a third of those deciding not to report the incident said it was because they felt no action would be taken.
Fewer than one in five teens (17%) said their first reaction would be to tell a parent. Just 1% said telling a teacher would be their first response.
Those most likely to be the victims of online bullying or trolling were 19-year-old boys. In this age group, 85% said they had experienced it – 10% more than girls of the same age.
Arthur Cassidy, media psychologist and Knowthenet trolling expert said: “Whilst some might expect girls to be more vulnerable online, this study shows that older boys are more at risk from trolling and cyber bullying.
“Many boys feel under pressure to demonstrate their bravado, particularly on the web, but this attitude and male deficiency in coping strategies can make them more vulnerable and open to trolling.
“Online bullying can have a massive impact on older male teenagers at a time when they are finding their identities.
“Suicide rates are particularly high amongst this demographic, so it’s worrying to hear that teenagers on the whole are choosing to deal with internet abuse themselves rather than speaking to parents or teachers for help.”
Overall, just under two thirds of teenagers (65%) said they had been affected by online bullying or trolling. For a third (34%), it had lasted more than a month.
A majority of the victims (87%) said they had experienced it on Facebook. This was followed by:
• Twitter 19%
• Blackberry Messenger 13%
• Ask.fm 9%
• Bebo 8%
• Whatsapp 4%
By comparison, the survey found that far fewer teenagers were experiencing offline bullying (49%).
Knowthenet’s Phil Kingsland said: “Parents may find it frustrating that children spend so much time absorbed with their smartphone or on social networks. It’s precisely because of the importance of these networks to youngsters that they can also cause great distress.
“Understanding the potential impact trolls can have on teenagers is the first step to engaging with your youngsters about this, and helping them to deal with these issues.
“Online trolling can be as traumatic as physical bullying in the playground, so it’s important that action is taken quickly and parents and teachers work together to monitor and deal with the issue.”
Emma-Jane Cross, chief executive and founder of the charity BeatBullying commented:
“Bullying both on and offline continues to be a serious problem for a huge number of teenagers and we cannot ignore its often devastating and tragic effects.
“We work with hundreds of young people being cyber-bullied or trolled so badly that it can lead to depression, truancy, self-harm, or even force them to contemplate or attempt suicide. What’s also concerning is that many young people could be suffering in silence.
“The most important thing for young people to remember is not to ignore it. If you see cyber-bullying going on, report it to the site concerned and offer your support. If you’re being cyber-bullied, always save any bullying messages, posts, pictures or videos you receive or see.
“Never respond or retaliate, as this can just make things worse, and block any users that send you nasty messages.”
The top three tips from Knowthenet.org.uk to tackle online trolling are:
For teens
1. Don’t feed the trolls – trolls feed off your response so whatever you do, never reply.
2. Tell a mate, a teacher, a parent or someone you trust about it as soon as possible.
3. Collect evidence of email or message trails in case it gets more serious.
For parents
1. Listen to your teenager and discuss the problem they’re having.
2. Help your child with the practical elements of gathering evidence but be respectful of their privacy so so ask before reading their messages
3. Support your child in reporting the abuse to the social network, online messaging service, or even the authorities and keep monitoring the situation on a regular basis.
MEDIA REVIEW
Motherhood, the career that dare not speak its name
By Cristina Odone, Telegraph — Claire Perry, Tory MP for Devizes and childhood guru to David Cameron, says she’s had three careers: she’s been a banker, a mother and a politician.
It is brave of her – and not because bankers and politicians are the most despised professions around. Ms Perry is brave because she makes claims for motherhood that has too many feminists and members of the Coalition sneering: it is a full-time, unpaid job.
Perry is promoting “Mothers at Home Matter”, a group that wants the Coalition to recognise the contribution of stay-at-home mothers. Their message is urgent: when the state has to step in to care for children, the tax payers end up paying millions in creches and programmes like SureStart – now recognised as a hugely expensive Labour failure.
Worse, psychologists are now worrying that being raised outside their home environment by a succession of “professionals” can scar children for life. In Sweden, where this is a matter of routine, school records show the highest truancy and “worst classroom disorder” in western Europe. The star witness for MAHM was Jonas Himmlestrand, expert in Swedish family policy, who reported that his homeland, where 90 per cent of children are in subsidised child care, has seen a serious decline in adolescent mental health, between 1986 -2002 declined faster than in 10 comparable European countries.
MEDIA REVIEW
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