St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - Press Releases Press Release SVS Conducts Seminar on Reducing the Risk of Sexual Misconduct and Child Sexual Abuse

Crestwood, NY—On Wednesday, March 10, St Vladimir's Seminary conducted a four-hour seminar on Reducing the Risk of Sexual Misconduct and Child Sexual Abuse.  The seminar was led by Mr Michael Herzak, who has given similar presentations for OCA deaneries and dioceses in many parts of the United States.  His presentation covered a range of legal and ethical issues related to this subject.  Among other things, it introduced the OCA's Policies, Standards, and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct and the SCOBA statement on Dealing with Sexual Misconduct in the Church.

Faculty, staff, and students (many of whom will go on to be parish priests or church workers after graduating from seminary) learned basic information about implementing precautionary policies for the prevention of child sexual abuse and creating a safe community for children.  They learned the importance of screening staff and volunteers before they are allowed to work with children, how to identify cautionary behavioral patterns in individuals who may be pedophiles, and how to prevent the occurrence of situations in which abuse can occur.  They also learned what procedures to follow should an allegation be made, or an incidence of abuse occur.

The presentation provided information of a legal nature, but -- as was evident from questions asked by members of the seminary community -- the grave issue of child sexual abuse stirs up a host of pastoral and psychological concerns.  The presentation thus served as a way for the seminary as a whole to begin giving serious attention to this matter.