A proposed Alabama bill could make it unlawful for clergy to commit certain sexual acts with anyone under 19 years old.
Rep. Leigh Hulsey sponsored House Bill 125, which mirrors the protections of another Alabama bill that prohibits public and private school teachers from engaging in sexual behavior with students.
“In the state of Alabama, consent for sexual activity is 16 years of age,” Hulsey told AL.com. “Our law explicitly waives that as a defense for teachers, but it does not anywhere else, such as where people are underneath the trust or authority of someone like you would find yourself in a church Sunday School class.”
The proposed law would hold clergy accountable for sexual crimes against children and teenagers. Specifically, the bill defines clergy as “a duly ordained, licensed or commissioned minister, pastor, priest, rabbi or practitioner of any bona fide established church or religious organization or any person who regularly, as a vocation, devotes a substantial portion of his or her time and abilities to the service of his or her church or religious organization.”
House Bill 125 passed in the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 20, and the proposed legislation is pending committee action in the Senate. If the bill passes in the Alabama Senate, a violation of the law will be considered a Class B felony, which could result in two to 20 years of imprisonment.
‘Predators know the law’
“We feel at this time it is critical to do anything we can in protecting minors from abuse,” said Greg Davis, president and CEO of Alabama Citizens Action Program. “Predators know the law and have used a weakness in Alabama’s current code to shield themselves from accountability.
“Alabama Baptists have been more diligent than ever the last several years to protect minors under our care, and this [bill] continues that diligence,” Davis said. “We have found overwhelming support from our churches to at least hold clergy to the same standards as public and private school teachers. Rep. Leigh Hulsey has been a champion for this cause, and we are grateful for her commitment and leadership.”
Rep. Hulsey decided to push the new law after hearing victims’ experiences of sexual abuse in the church, including Ivy Jeter.
“This is what I dreamed of — a law protecting people like me,” Jeter said. “This (law) will hopefully close the gap for those who are the age of consent (16) but are still not a legal adult. Right now, there is nothing currently protecting youth ages 16–18 years old. Pastors are in a position of power that can easily be used to manipulate and abuse the vulnerable.”
In September 2022, Jeter started to speak out about the abuse she experienced from her youth pastor.
“I was groomed beginning at the age of 13 until I was 16 years old, and that’s when the sexual abuse began, when I hit the age of consent,” Jeter said. “I fully believe my abuser was completely aware of the laws that were in place and how he could navigate those and use his power over me.”
Terrified
Jeter said she was sexually abused until she moved away at age 19. She didn’t tell anyone about the abuse because she was terrified of possible outcomes and other people’s thoughts.
“My abuser was a master manipulator,” Jeter said. “He would pray over me and convince me his ‘love’ was genuine and like a father.” To this day, certain worship songs and Bible verses are reminders of her abuse and can be triggering.
“I hold onto my faith, but it has and will continue to be a journey for me.”
She finally decided to go to the police and report her abuse when she found out her abuser had become the head pastor of a church.
Jeter used her voice with hope that others won’t endure what she did.
“I am so grateful Rep. Leigh Hulsey listened to not only my story but many others and saw the need for change,” Jeter said. “I’m praying that this bill is able to get through the Senate quickly and efficiently.”
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