A Gardnerian Statement on Consent & Abuse
by bennybargas
I am a Gardnerian initiate with traceable lineage back to Gerald Gardner. I do not speak for all Gardnerians or for the tradition as a whole. That would be impossible as there is no governing body nor hierarchy outside of individual autonomous covens. Nonetheless:
- I recognize that abuses have been perpetrated in the name of religions the world over and ours is no exception.
- I further know that the personal, spiritual, and human value of religion is immeasurable, making harm done in its name even more important to speak out against.
- I also recognize that, as a community, more vocal statements on our beliefs regarding sex, sexuality, and consent are needed.
- I additionally recognize that a lack of openness and transparency on these important matters has allowed abuses to be perpetrated against those earnestly seeking the tradition.
THEREFORE
- I affirm that proper teachers of our Craft will never pressure students into sex, sexual activity, or other non-consensual physical contact for any reason.
- I affirm that consent is an inviolable expression of trust and love.
- I affirm that consent is required for the teaching of our Craft.
- I affirm that I believe that seekers under the tutelage of proper Gardnerian teachers have the following rights:
- the right to bodily autonomy,
- the right to an experience free of sexual coercion,
- the right to an experience free of abuse, and
- the right to leave a coven or teacher at any time, especially if their rights have been violated.
- I further affirm that seekers who feel that they have had their consent and rights violated should be heard and be taken seriously.
- I affirm that maintaining an open dialogue on consent and abuses within our community, and with the greater Pagan community, is necessary to dispel misinformation about our tradition.
- I affirm that I will support the voices of victims and that they will be able to report abuse without fear of retaliation.
- I affirm that abusers should be held accountable for their actions and I will do so to the extent possible, whenever possible. Individuals and/or groups who violate the consent and/or rights of those under their care will be persona non-grata within my Circles and events and refused referral to seekers.
I invite other Gardnerian initiates, elders, and coven leaders who agree with the affirmations above to add their names.
We do so affirm:
- Benny Bargas, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Erebus, Highlands Coven, Louisville, KY USA
- Mortellus, High Priestess of The Coven of Leaves, Rutherfordton, NC USA
- ZS, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Hjordis, High Priestess, Awen Forge Coven, PA USA
- Mario Pabón-McAllister, High Priest, Queens’ Coven, New York City, NY USA
- John Stiteler, High Priest of the Stillwater Coven, MN USA
- Claudiney Prieto, High Priest of the Moon Temple Coven, Brazil
- Yarilo, Jersey City Coven, NJ USA
- Carol Stiteler, High Priestess of the Stillwater Coven, MN USA
- Aima, High Priestess of Dragon Tryst Coven, Oxford, PA USA
- Dylan, High Priest of the Beacon Hill Coven, Boston MA USA
- Bren, Starfire Coven, NY USA
- Samara, High Priestess , the Highlands Coven, Louisville, KY USA
- Sophia Boann, High Priestess of the Cup of Wisdom coven, Ireland
- Serapis, Cauldron of the Midnight Moon, Pace, FL USA
- Raewen, High Priestess of the Awakened Forest, Wake Forest, NC USA
- Sirana, Beacon Hill Coven, Boston, MA USA
- Zelena, HeartSong, MD USA
- Carnelian, HeartSong, MD USA
- Kore, Dragon Tryst, PA USA
- Nicanthiel, Dragon Tryst, PA USA
- Heather, High Priestess, LindenWood Coven, Waterloo ON Canada
- John, High Priest, LindenWood Coven, Waterloo ON Canada
- Emlyn Price, Reading, UK
- Medb, High Priestess of Serpent Tree Coven, Warwick, RI USA
- Morgaine, High Priestess Path of the Phoenix Coven, NH USA
- Anna Stockinger High Priestess, Our Lady of the Stars Coven, Southport, England
- Guinivere, Dragon Tryst, PA USA
- Sherri Molloy, LindenWood Coven, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ishara, High Priestess of Whispering Forest Coven, FL USA
- Turner, High Priest of Whispering Forest Coven, FL USA
- Hermes, NJ USA
- Acacia, High Priestess of the Glenwood Coven, North West Florida, USA
- Puma, High Priest of Thorn Moon, Portland, OR USA
- Misha Magdalene, Seattle, WA USA
- AuraLea, High Priestess, HeartSong, MD USA
- Europa, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Epona, High Priestess of Autumn Moon Coven, NC USA
- Adariana, High Priestess, Circle of the Silver Oak, MN USA
- Rayn, High Priestess Of Hexen Moon Coven, TN USA
- Wesley Leão, São Paulo, Brazil
- Lilith, High Priestess of HearthStone Coven, MA USA
- Kailani, HeartSong, MD USA
- Rich Wandel, High Priest, Polyhymnia Coven
- Proteus, Coven of Leaves, NC USA
- Ian, High Priest, Circle of the Four Winds, UK
- Aria, High Priestess of the Beacon Hill Coven, Boston MA USA
- Yvonne Aburrow, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
- Jenny Chalek, High Priestess, Lions of Rhea, Louisville, KY USA
- Patrick, StarFire Coven, NY USA
- DelaLuna, Detroit, MI USA
- Loki, Serpent Tree Coven, RI USA
- Kim Gardner, High Priestess, Sacred Grove Coven
- Zemyna, High Priestess, Moonstone Coven, Southern NJ USA
- John King, High Priest, SwansCove Coven, New York USA
- Paula King, High Priestess, SwansCove Coven, New York USA
- Chris Frey, High Priest, Erntemond Coven, Bochum, Germany
To read this statement in Portuguese, click here.
Have you been affected by sexual assault? You are not alone. You can contact RAINN at 800.656.HOPE or online at online.rainn.org.
For a printable PDF version of this statement to give to your potential students or take to a potential teacher, click here.
I agree with the above statement(s). Excellent project.
Suggested changes:
Change all references to “I” to “we the undersigned” (sounds stronger and still doesn’t appear to be claiming to represent all Gardnerians).
In the section “I recognize…” put “We the undersigned recognize:” at the top and start each bullet point with “that”.
Wherever you’ve mentioned seekers and/or students, add “and initiates” as otherwise it sounds like they’re not included.
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Hi Yvonne,
The original draft was written as suggested. However, there was a lot of concern and criticism of that version. This version was re-written in the first person singular to address those concerns.
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Hi Benny
Yes I assumed that was the case. However I think you will need to consider a trade off between how many signatures you want and how much you are prepared to compromise on your statement.
Thank you again for this excellent initiative and all the work you’ve put into it.
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You can still add me to the list of signatories though 🙂
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Sorry, forgot to add my location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
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Zemyna HPS Moonstone Coven Southern NJ
Please add me.
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Added
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Anna Stockinger, High Priestess of Our Lady of the Stars Coven, Southport, England. ( survivor of child sexual abuse and adult rape)
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Diana Wendord (Lady Adariana) Circle of the Silver Oak, Oak Grove, MN
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Reblogged this on Jack of Wands Tarot and commented:
Sexual abuse is not a part of the Gardnerian Tradition. It should not be part of anyone’s religious experience. If anyone ever tries to pressure you into sexual activity under the pretense of Wiccan training, run like hell.
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Please add me.
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Aliss, HPS Coven Sempervirens, Citrus Heights California
Durwood, HP Coven Sempervirens, Citrus Heights California
So say we all.
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I support the statement and it’s entirety please add my name.
Lykaia, HPS, Blackbirds Coven, Palo Alto, CA
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Karen and Evan Dales, Coven of the Wylde Rose, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Ian, HP Circle of the Four Winds, UK
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Hi,
I have several names to add to the bottom of this.
We all support the statement and agree with it.
Liana Mercer, HPS, Forest City Coven, London, Ontario, Canada
Tim Smith, Forest City Coven, London, Ontario, Canada
Justine Rowland, Forest City Coven, London, Ontario, Canada
Dawn Penner, Forest City Coven, London, Ontario, Canada
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Can you please remove the surnames from the Forest City Coven folks from the form?
I will be reviewing the form further – looks like it’s making sweeping statements that no one person can guarantee. For example, I cannot guarantee that EVERY Gard running a coven/class etc will behave ethically.
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Hi Liana,
What section are you referring to? There’s no guarantee that every Gard will behave ethically. Only that we affirm that we won’t invite known abusers to OUR events.
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Hi Benny,
Right under “Therefore”, it states:
“I affirm that proper teachers of our Craft will never pressure students into sex, sexual activity, or other non-consensual physical contact for any reason.”
I cannot say that because I cannot guarantee that another Gard teacher somewhere will act ethically when they teach.
The sentence seems like it could be actionable, legally.
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The meaning of this statement is not that we can guarantee that another teacher will not act unethically, only that we believe proper teachers will act ethically.
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But I understand if you’re not comfortable with the language and I can remove you if you want. 🙂
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Thank you, Benny.
The coven and I discussed it further and decided that Forest City Coven would not sign the public document.
Can you please remove all 4 of us? Liana, Tim, Justine & Dawn
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Removed.
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Count me as affirming.
T. Scarlet Jory (HPS) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
This is really good, thanks for the initiative. Do you mind if this gets adapted for non-Gardnerians? Montreal has several teachers/students/leaders of various denominations of Paganism and this seems like an excellent document for them to use.
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This is open-source (except the signatures, obviously). People should feel free to adapt and use it as they see fit.
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Not to steal Benny’s thunder, but there’s a selection of model policies here (and I’m planning to link to this one when I get a minute):
http://www.paganconsentculture.com/p/model-policies.html?m=1
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Bella. A.V. Minnesota
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Great work Benny !! Please add Zemyna HPS Moonstone Coven South NJ
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Hi Monica!
You’re already on there. Third from bottom. 🙂
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I totally agree! We have never had this kind of behavior since 1972 and confirm on our praxis.
Lady Rhea and New York Coven of Witches.
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Please add me too.
Chris Frey, High Priest, Erntemond Coven, Bochum, Germany
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Added!
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Thank you so much.
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