Comments on: The Exodus standards for programs involving youth https://wthrockmorton.com/2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/ A [retired] college psychology professor's observations about public policy, mental health, sexual identity, and religious issues Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:12:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Michael Bussee https://wthrockmorton.com/2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3323 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:12:48 +0000 https://www.wthrockmorton.com//2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3323 Alan: What I said was that in the first years of EXODUS we did not work with kids, only adults. At least, EXIT did not. Even so, I know for a fact that a few of the adult workers had sex with adult clients and a few of the adult workers even had sex with each other. But we avoided working with kids. It just seemed to be too big of a risk — for the kids and for EXODUS.

You said: “Michael, there was no prohibition for ministries to work with kids.” You are right. We had no official prohibitions. We just didn’t do it. EXODUS was very new and we didn’t want to risk child abuse or allegations of child abuse.

Three decades later, I still don’t think it’s a smart idea for men (who are still struggling with gay “temptations”) to be working with emotionally troubled and vulnerable boys who are struggling with the very same temptations. In the privacy of a counseling room, all sorts of things can happen.

]]> By: Michael Airhart https://wthrockmorton.com/2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3322 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 20:58:42 +0000 https://www.wthrockmorton.com//2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3322 Alan,

While there’s plenty of room for improvement, I’m glad to see the progress thus far.

]]> By: ken https://wthrockmorton.com/2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3321 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:17:37 +0000 https://www.wthrockmorton.com//2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3321 I noticed there is a Parental Consent requirement, but no explicit statement about the consent of the youth involved.

While it is implied because the youth has to sign confidentiality and boundary agreements, I think an explicit statement about the youth’s consent to treatment would be appropriate.

]]> By: Alan Chambers https://wthrockmorton.com/2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3320 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:06:45 +0000 https://www.wthrockmorton.com//2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3320 Oh, and Gordo…pastoral references and other references have always been a part of the process.

Michael, there was no prohibition for ministries to work with kids. When we started seeing that ministries were we began drafting the policies. The ones we have will continue to strengthen.

]]> By: Alan Chambers https://wthrockmorton.com/2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3319 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:04:42 +0000 https://www.wthrockmorton.com//2007/01/16/the-exodus-standards-for-programs-involving-youth/#comment-3319 Timothy,

Nothing slipped my mind—there wasn’t an incident at an Exodus Member Ministry. Two people met there and months (maybe a year) later they actually hooked up.

As for dropping a ministry, that happens at renewal. Come February, I imagine there will be fewer Exodus Member Ministries.

Alan

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