About the Guest:

Jenni Woodhouse is the Pastoral Care Coordinator for the Church Missionary Society in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. She previously served as the Chaplain for the Sydney Anglican Church’s Professional Standards Unit. With an impressive background in pastoral care and professional ethics, Jenni has substantial experience addressing complex issues surrounding abuse within church communities.

Key Takeaways:

Clergy abuse of women is more common than typically perceived, intertwining emotional, psychological, and spiritual manipulation.
Ministers wield a unique form of power, influencing and accessing the private lives of congregants in ways other professionals do not.
Prevention measures include ministers recognizing their power, committing to personal integrity, and maintaining open and honest discussions with mentors or supervisors.
Congregations have a role to play in safeguarding themselves by being observant and addressing any questionable behaviors of their leaders.
Full disclosure and accountability are necessary when a minister breaches ethical boundaries to prevent harmful rumors and promote healing within the community.

Notable Quotes:

“The first step on the slide downhill is to think it won’t happen to me.” – Jenni Woodhouse
“As soon as you say it out loud, that is going to decrease the power of that over you tenfold.” – Jenni Woodhouse
“Someone with that kind of power has access to the more vulnerable people in the congregation like nobody else does.” – Jenni Woodhouse
“Speak up, she still will be feeling like, who on earth is going to believe me?” – Jenni Woodhouse
“Tell them the truth, and that will stomp that [gossip].” – Jenni Woodhouse

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Women abused by clergy - Jenni Woodhouse

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