Mind Body & Spirit

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Pagan Safety

Pagan Truth and Tales

Like everything, making artifacts for the festival Alter is a team effort

We come together in Love, Respect, Honor and Trust, even if our paths are different we show respect for each other

Informal gatherings at night around the fire are a common occurrence

More formal networking also happens, this is our 'Round the Table' discussion of Pagan happenings in our area

We give help and share knowledge and skills because that is the way things should be done

Pagans, Covens and Personal Safety

THE PAGAN AWARENESS NETWORK (PAN Inc) of Australia has prepared this information to educate people on basic personal safety and rights within the Pagan community and suggestions in the event of assault. Your Rights in NZ are very similar.

By doing this we can help protect the positive image Pagans have worked for. The majority of groups in Australia and NZ offer personal and spiritual development as well as social networks. However, there are a few that exist to provide power-trips to a ‘leader’. In extreme cases there may be predatory behavior. The reputation of these people may be well-known within the Pagan community, or their activities may be unknown to others.

Newcomers to Paganism should be aware of the following basic points:
· You do NOT need to be initiated into a coven or a magickal order in order to be a Pagan.
· Sexual predators and power-trippers exist in all communities, and come from all walks of life. The Pagan community is no exception.
· It is ILLEGAL for anyone to touch you in an inappropriate manner without your prior consent.

If you decide to make contact with a group or individual, don’t be afraid to ask questions. For
example:
· Who created that particular group, and what tradition do they follow? Ask about their background, training program and general beliefs.
· Does the group encourage students to study, question and learn from different sources?
· Are there membership charges? Are contributions reasonable for what is provided?
· Do the group leaders claim a ‘title’ or ‘lineage’? Individuals who have earned titles such as ‘High Priestess’ should be respected. However, the presence of such a title does not guarantee an ethical teaching practice.
· Does the group insist upon an initiation ritual? If so, what is involved? What training takes place beforehand

TIPS FOR PERSONAL SAFETY

The following are some suggested guidelines for newcomers wanting to ensure their safety:
· Do not reveal private details (phone numbers, home address, financial information, etc)
· Use an email account such as Hotmail or YahooMail to make enquiries, rather than your
work or home email.
· Where possible, take a friend along to Pagan events and gatherings rather than going alone.
· Advertisements or listings in books, magazines or websites is no guarantee of integrity or quality of teaching, do some research beforehand.
· If the Internet is your only resource, join a variety of online forums and discussion groups and try a polite, generalised request for information.
· Attend public Pagan events (picnics, festivals, etc) before seeking out a teacher. Gather information about groups and traditions that interest you.
·Be aware that you have a number of legal rights that no group, teacher, or Pagan event can override:
· If during a ritual, class or workshop you are asked to take part in any activity that makes you uncomfortable, or you find yourself being removed from the rest of the group without prior warning, you have the right to say NO.
· You have the right to leave any ritual or event without explanation if you feel unsafe. Issues of ‘breaking circle’ cease to exist if your fear for your personal safety. Simply gather up your belongings and go.
· At all times you have the right to speak to a friend, a community elder, an organisation such as PAN Inc, or the Police if you feel you need advice or support on any matter.
· You can also choose to approach group leaders/festival organisers to air any complaints. Anything you say should be heard in a fair and impartial way.

STAY SAFE: AVOIDING UNHEALTHY GROUPS

PEOPLE ARE OFTEN so desperate for guidance that they don’t use their instincts or logic as normally applied to any other important decision. The same effort should go into learning about different religious and spiritual options as deciding on other important life situations.
Two highly recommended online sources are:
Isaac Bonewits’ ‘Cult Danger Evaluation’ tool, http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html
The Coven Abuse Self-Help Index (CASHI): A Tool for Survival, Evasion and Escape
http://healing.about.com/library/uc_covenabuse_0209.htm

Make an effort to talk to a cross-section of people in your community, both online and in real-life. Talk to those who have socialised with or who have worked with those you are considering training with. Ask around the general community to find out as much as possible about who can be trusted. Always listen to your instincts. It is much easier to work with someone and learn from them if you can respect and like them as individuals, as well as teachers. Finally, look for obvious warning signs of an unhealthy group, for example:
• Does the group leader or teacher make contradictory statements?
• Seem intolerant towards other Pagans?
• Concentrates the group work on their own interests and/or power-trip?
• Indulge in strong magick without explanation?
• Raise a lot of energy with no directive?
• State that anyone who does not agree with their opinions is not a real Pagan?
• Do they refer constantly to their own knowledge?
• Do they make a point of showing-off through their dress, manner or Pagan accessories?
• Does being around this person seem to inflate people’s egos?
• Is there a high-turnover in group members?

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A SEXUAL OR INDECENT ASSAULT

Without prior consent it is illegal for anyone to touch you in an inappropriate manner.
LIKE ANY OTHER PART OF SOCIETY, Pagans attract their fair share of ‘unsavoury characters’ and it is an unfortunate reality that some people who participate in Pagan ceremonies, whether skyclad or clothed, find themselves the victims of indecent or sexual assault. There is very little information or peer support for victims of assault at a Pagan ceremony or ritual and very often they are unsure of their rights. If you have been assaulted don’t let feelings of shame or self-blame prevent you from seeking help. The first step is to talk to someone you trust about what happened, a friend, a counsellor or Pagan community leader. It is your decision who you tell and what you tell. There are many services that can support you if you have been sexually assaulted. Remember, the choice is YOURS.

SOME SUGGESTED COURSES OF ACTION:

• Visit your Local Sexual Assault Service; often at a public hospital (call the front desk and ask to be put through to their sexual assault counselor or SAC). Local Community Health Centre or your local Women’s Health Centers may provide similar services and advice.
• Visit your your local Police station and ask to speak to an officer (women can request a female officer). Tell them your story and ask their opinion and advice. The Police in each State and Territory can advise you on the respective laws regarding assault.