Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America approved and issued a revised Policy, Standards, and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct at their Fall 2013 Holy Synod meeting. This policy is now in force in the Church. It is the goal of the entire Church to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America. The Church laments the sin of sexual misconduct, and will not tolerate sexual misconduct by its clergy or any layperson.

To confidentially report a case of misconduct please use the toll-free number 855-398-2600. All calls will be confidential.

Key documents

• Policies, Standards, and Procedures of the Orthodox Church in America on Sexual Misconduct
• Summary and checklist of responsibilities and procedures
• Annual Parish Compliance Report
• Letter from the Holy Synod

Helpful links

• When the Unspeakable Happens - by Ellen Govsodov
• Safety Issues - by the OCA Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries
• Charter of the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee (SMPAC) - approved by the Holy Synod of Bishops

Office of Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations (ORSMA)

The Office of Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations is responsible for assisting the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Church with matters concerning allegations of sexual misconduct. The Office shall be under the authority of the Office of the Metropolitan, who shall report to the Holy Synod of Bishops. ORSMA shall be supervised on a day-to-day basis by the Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America.

Contact Information

Archpriest John A. Jillions
Chancellor
Phone: (516) 922-0550 ext. 130
Email: chancellor@oca.org

Ms. Cindy Davis, MSW
Coordinator
Phone: (516) 922-0550 ext. 134
Email: cdavis@oca.org

Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee (SMPAC)

SMPAC is under the authority of the Holy Synod and is chaired by the Chancellor of the Church, who is the day-to-day supervisor of the Office. The Committee operates in an advisory capacity only and does not assume any responsibility for the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, because that responsibility properly belongs to the Diocesan Hierarchs and the Office, according to the revised Policies, Standards, and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct. Committee members are appointed by the Holy Synod of Bishops.

Current Membership of SMPAC: Archpriest John Jillions (ex officio, Chancellor, Chair), Archpriest Eric Tosi (ex officio, Secretary), Archpriest Theodore Bobosh, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, Ms. Cindy Davis (ex officio, Coordinator, ORSMA), Mr. Robert Koory, Esq., Dr. Albert Rossi, Mr. Bernard Wilson

Clergy Resources

Clergy of the Orthodox Church in America are responsible to their Diocesan Bishop to implement the PSPs and to follow the procedures. They will by the end of each calendar year complete the compliance form and submit it to their Diocesan Bishop in time for reporting at the Spring Holy Synod meeting.