Contact Person's Guidelines

North Central New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has a policy in effect concerning issues of sexual harassment and abuse within the church. This policy requires that each charge appoint one male and one female to serve as "contact persons". These people should be listed on each church's Nominating Committee Report and name, address and phone numbers sent to the conference office. Contact persons should be willing to serve in this position and have basic knowledge of sexual harassment issues. Below are some simple guidelines for contact persons:

CONTACT PERSON SHOULD:

1. Provide a copy of the letter of introduction of conference advocates to any one who has questions or complaints.
2. Believe the complainant's account of what has happened. Your responsibility is to listen, acknowledge their complaint and non-judgmentally aid the complainant in getting into the system as established in the Book Of Discipline and Conference Policy.
3. KEEP CONFIDENCE. Do not discuss the complainant's identity or complaint with anyone, including your spouse. If you feel there is a valid reason why something should be shared with a third party you must obtain the permission of the complainant. (If the victim is a minor, you must report to appropriate secular authorities). If you have trouble with what you have been told, please call an Advocate. All information will be kept confidential.
4. When the complainant is prepared to do so, either set up a meeting with a Conference Advocate or give the complainant the name and phone numbers for the Advocates. You may be able to act as a support person for the complainant beyond this point or you may feel that you can only support them until they are connected with an Advocate. Be sure the complainant knows what they can expect from you.
5. It may be necessary to hear the complainant's story many times before they are ready to contact an advocate. Anyone can speak to an Advocate even if they do not wish to proceed with a complaint. Also, anyone can make a complaint without the support of an Advocate if they wish.

CONTACT PERSON SHOULD NOT:

1. Offer interpretations of what the complainant's experience means, or in any way deny its significance for the complainant. What is experienced as abusive will differ from person to person. Never use the frequently heard, "Well, at least he didn't rape her" or any variation thereof.
2. Force solutions on the complainant, as if you know what is best for him/her.
3. Rush the complainant into going the next step until they are ready to do so.
4. Make decisions for the complainant. The complainant must decide if they wish to speak to an advocate, take the complaint directly to a D.S., contact a lawyer or do nothing. The choice is the complainant's. No one should make these decisions for them.
5. Please assure the complainant that you will keep their confidence. That speaking with an advocate can help to answer their questions and does not mean they must continue with a formal complaint. An advocate will also keep all information confidential.

Encourage them to not share this information with people in the local church or outside the church until they have been able seek help for themselves. We have seen in previous cases that this has compounded the suffering of the complainant. In no way does this mean that the accused person will be protected or anything "covered up" but that the complainant can begin to get support before this controversial subject is addressed in the church.

In keeping with the NCNY Annual Conference Policy on Sexual Harassment and Abuse a poster should be hung in each church, identifying local contact persons and conference advocates. You may wish to share your name and phone number with other local churches. Please be sure your name, address and phone number is available at conference office. Then you can be notified of any training sessions that may come up.

Thank you for agreeing to be a Contact Person for your charge. If you have any questions regarding your role please feel free to call an Advocate.