Hayle Swinson delivers an emotional testimony at a Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in support of SB542, authored by Sen. Randy Robertson, right, Feb. 25. – Georgia State Senate video
ATLANTA — A key Senate committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 542, which would add clergy to Georgia’s “improper sexual contact” statute, during a hearing Wednesday evening, Feb. 25.
The bill, authored by Sen. Randy Robertson, would allow prosecutors to bring charges when a minister uses a counseling relationship to obtain sexual contact.
The committee voted after considering amendments that supporters said clarified language in the bill without changing its meaning, intent, or purpose. The measure now heads to the Senate Rules Committee for a final vote before it can be scheduled for consideration by the full Senate.
Robertson told the committee that SB542 is intended to place clergy in the same category as other authority figures already covered in Georgia law and said he was approached by women who said they were victimized within religious organizations or churches.
The bill is not aimed at religious liberty or legitimate ministry, but rather establishes accountability when spiritual authority is used for exploitation.
Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told lawmakers that Georgia Baptists support the bill and view it as part of a long-standing effort to promote accountability and improve abuse prevention in churches and faith-based institutions.
Griffin said SB542 could also serve as a clear warning and teaching tool for churches and ministry leaders statewide.
“This bill, I believe, can be used as an educational tool,” Griffin said. “I think it reminds people of the responsibility we have to protect others, and accountability and criminal charges are needed.”
Hayle Swinson, who was victimized while she was a student and employee at Truett McConnell University, urged senators to move quickly. She described adult clergy sexual abuse as a pattern that often begins with trust and spiritual manipulation rather than physical force.
“Adult clergy sexual abuse is real. It does not begin with force. It begins with trust, a pastor, a mentor, a person with spiritual authority who’s saying you can trust me, this is God’s will, all while violating you at the same time,” Swinson said.
She said survivors frequently seek “faith, guidance, belonging, or healing,” and described how authority can be used to groom and coerce.
“Scripture is twisted to justify,” she said. “Isolation is normalized, and boundaries are slowly eroded. … This is not consent. This is coercion through power.”
Georgia’s lack of a clear legal pathway has discouraged reporting and allowed offenders to continue, she added. “This is why many survivors never reported. This is why many perpetrators continue to do what they do. This is why the law must change. Silence protects systems, but the law is supposed to protect people.”
Chairman Brian Strickland addressed Swinson after her testimony. “I thank you for your courage,” he said, “because we would not have bills like this without people like you being willing to share your story. And I can’t imagine how hard it is to have to share your story, but unfortunately, sometimes it’s necessary to pass meaningful legislation.”
Sen. Bill Cowsert raised concerns during the hearing that the bill’s definition of clergy could be broader than some expect, potentially encompassing volunteer leaders such as Sunday school teachers. Robertson said the bill is meant to cover anyone in a church leadership role who uses spiritual influence to manipulate another person.
“I intend for it to apply to anyone in a leadership position within a church, from the chief pastor all the way down,” he said.
This article originally appeared in The Christian Index.
