Dear Friends,
The Ethics Committee deeply appreciates the feedback received. All the comments have been seriously considered and discussed, and resulted in many changes to the Draft Ethics Guidelines. This letter summarizes the changes that have been made, and why we chose not to make certain changes. Please see the latest draft guidelines through the following link:
Your input has helped to clarify and simplify the guidelines. Some proposed guidelines have been removed in response to comments pointing out that they are not really a matter of ethics, but more procedural, administrative, or issues for teacher training.
With the help of your comments the Scope of Function has been rewritten to better reflect its intent. And the first guideline has been refined to recognize that teachers do prescribe practices, but they are not authorized to be directing the life decisions of students.
The definitions of teacher and student remain very inclusive, reflecting that there is a power differential between students and teachers who have ongoing relationships even when it is not a guide/murid relationship. The nature of the relationship between the teacher and student will be considered carefully in responding to any specific ethics inquiry, concern or complaint.
Sexual harassment, or any kind of harassment, and abuse of power are matters that the Inayati Order takes very seriously. These more detailed guidelines clarify what behaviors are unacceptable and that the Order takes a strong stand regarding these issues. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that students and teachers are safe and secure to flourish on this spiritual path, and to ensure the organization can continue to spread The Message.
Some comments asserted that students can take care of themselves and don’t require this kind of protection; however, no one should ever be subjected to harassment or abuse of power of any kind.
We have attempted to more clearly articulate the need to avoid dual relationships. The distinction between psychotherapy and spiritual guidance needs to be addressed in teacher training.
This draft of the Guidelines more clearly articulates that informal resolution within the local communities is supported by the Ethics Committee when appropriate. Consultation with the Ethics Committee before behaviors rise to the level of an ethics violation is encouraged.
A cautionary statement regarding financial ethics remains in these Ethics Guidelines, with an added reference to the more detailed Financial Ethics Guidelines found in a separate document.
These Ethics Guidelines do not include the process and procedures for addressing inquiries, concerns and complaints, and for protecting teachers and students who are involved in inquiries, concerns or complaint processes. The Ethics Committee is in the process of updating the procedures followed by the Committee.
Please send any new comments or questions regarding this draft of the Ethics Guidelines to the Ethics Committee (ethics@inayatiorder.org), no later than December 11, 2018.
Thank you,
The Ethics Committee