The diocese of Algoma has broken new ground with a canon outlining procedures for dealing with allegations of sexual harassment. Algoma is the first diocese to formalize the process in canon law.
TORONTO, 8 September 1997 -- A task force has been appointed to undertake a thorough review of the Anglican Church's national guidelines on sexual harassment and assault.
The guidelines are required to be reviewed every two years. This review, the first since the guidelines were adopted, will also examine difficulties which were experienced in a recent harassment case involving national staff members.
The task force members, appointed by the officers of General Synod, are: Archdeacon Colin Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Bishop of Toronto; George Hostick, a retired executive; and Linda Barry-Hollowell, a labour lawyer who will act as chair.
The mandate of the task force is to ensure that the guidelines provide a just, speedy, streamlined and efficient structure to handle sexual harassment and abuse complaints. It will identify difficulties in the present policy and make specific recommendations for change to the Council of General Synod.
The task force will consult widely. Members of the Council of General Synod, standing committee members, and national staff will all be invited to provide written submissions, on or before October 22, 1997, concerning reflections and recommendations for change. In addition, the task force will be available to hear oral presentations from national staff members on October 16 and 24, 1997. All written or oral statements will be held by the Task Force members in strictest confidence both during and after the review process is completed.
An interim status report will be prepared for the November Council of General Synod meeting with a draft report and recommendations being completed by December 31, 1997. Further consultation opportunities to review the draft recommendations will take place in January and February, 1998, with a final report being forwarded to the Council of General Synod for approval in March, 1998.
Time Frame:
September 15, 1997 Invitation to provide written or oral presentations
October 22 Final deadline for written submissions
October 16, 24 Meetings with national staff for oral presentations
November 1 Interim status report to Council of General Synod
December 31 Draft report and recommendations
Jan / Feb 1998 Consultation on draft recommendations
February 28 Final report to the Council of General Synod
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For more information contact: Linda Barry-Hollowell, Barrister and Solicitor, Barrister and Solicitor, 905-641-1551
Contact: Doug Tindal, Director of Information Resources 416-924-9199 ext. 286; 905-335-8349 (residence) or
Sam Carriere, Editor, Print Resources 416-924-9199 ext. 256