Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Washington

Sexual Harrasment in Church

Over three and a half years ago my church hired a new choir director. From the start this man started telling the choir all strangers that he was married but they have an agreement to date others. Then he begane telling each week about his dating relationships, when they stopped, how upset about the person he was. Then as he started dating a new women go through the same thing. At times he would even tell his sex stories one on one to single women. Many of the women in the choir openly complained about his actions. I am a male and was around many of these times when he spoke. After about 6 months I brought all this and more information to the pastors attention. He knew about this person, told me he would handle it, but also mentioned the choir directors Dad heard of his sons actions and had a talk with him. Now it is over 3 years and he is still doing these actions. I might add I also went to several members of the church board and mentioned how his actions bothered me. Due to a similar male back in 1974 that pretty much went through sex talks around me, every time he had a talk with someone it revolved around sex, he ended up raping me and I moved on. Currently this at the regional director of our church. Was I sex. harassed?


Asked on 6/10/07, 1:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Merry Kogut Key Peninsula Law

Re: Sexual Harrasment in Church

Your question is somewhat confusing. When you are around the choir director who likes to talk about sex, are you an employee? If so, it may be possible to make out a case for sexual harassment. except that your church may be exempt from the law. If you are just there as a church member, you're not covered by the law.

As far as your being raped in 1974, if you were under 18 you could bring criminal charges.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] and provide more details. Anything you say will be confidential.

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Answered on 6/12/07, 4:46 pm


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