Bill criminalize sexual exploitation by clergy
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Bill criminalize sexual exploitation by clergy

Date: January 27, 2014
By: Christina Turner
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers discussed a bill that would make sex with a clergy person criminal.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: St. Charles Republican Representative Kathie Conway is sponsoring a bill that would criminalize sexual exploitation of or by clergy persons.

Conway says the bill was inspired by a woman whose pastor took advantage of her during after a life crisis.

The victim and her husband went to the police, but the police said their hands were tied because the relationship was consensual.

Actuality:  KCONWAY2.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "Their response was, 'Well, it was consensual because she was so unduly influenced by this man.'"

The law would prohibit any romantic interactions within 120 days of a parishioner first seeking counsel.

The House Crime Committee took no immediate action on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would criminalize sex with clergy people.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The House Crime Committee is considering criminalizing sexual exploitation of or by clergy persons.

St. Charles Republican Representative Kathie Conway says the law would prevent romantic interactions between a parishioner and their religious leader within 120 days of their first advisement meeting.

Actuality:  KCONWAY1.WAV
Run Time:  00:03
Description: "It wouldn't say that two people that fell in love couldn't be together."

St. Louis County Republican Representative John McCaherty is a pastor himself.

He says religious leaders should follow the same ethical laws that licensed therapists do, but wants to make sure the language isn't one-sided.

Actuality:  MCCAH.WAV
Run Time:  00:04
Description: "It's not always the clergy that initiates something like that."

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.