Sexual predators in AA (“13 Stepping”)

Apart from some minor factual inaccuracies we think this video should not be dismissed by AA members simply as an expression of 'resentment' on the part of a few disenchanted members but rather an issue which needs to be taken a great deal more seriously by all of us. We were particularly interested in the comments of an ex-AA world board member (Jim B) regarding the much misquoted Tradition Four ie. each group is autonomous, which seems to be employed to justify inaction on the part of the fellowship at virtually every service level. What the Tradition actually says is: 

“Four—Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.” (short form) 

“4.—With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.”

(our emphases) 

In other words this tradition may not be employed to exempt AA groups or the General Service board from their responsibility to ensure our 'common welfare' (which includes direct intervention where necessary to prevent such abuses occurring). Where the abuse is of a criminal nature the relevant authorities need to be notified and full co-operation extended to the police in assisting them with their enquiries. Failure to do so in Great Britain at least constitutes an offence. The defence of anonymity may not be used to hide the identity of the perpetrator. Similarly there exists legal redress with regard to stalking and harassment Harassment may include: “repeated attempts to impose unwanted communications and contacts upon a victim in a manner that could be expected to cause distress or fear in any reasonable person”. (Thus, for example, a particularly intrusive sponsor who repeatedly seeks to impose their will upon a sponsee can be warned that their behaviour may fall into this category and be advised accordingly). AA guidelines on abusive conduct should be prominently displayed at all meetings and where necessary read out periodically to ensure that every member of the group is made aware of these and their own responsibilities (Personal Conduct Matters (Guidelines for Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain: No. 17). Where an individual has been identified as constituting a menace (on the basis of reliable information and not mere gossip) they should be advised their conduct will no longer be tolerated. If they fail to take heed a group is entirely within its rights to ban them from their meeting and to notify other groups in the area accordingly. Abusers need to understand that they must take full responsibility for their own conduct and thereafter bear the consequences of their actions. Not only must AA meetings be a safe place to share - they must also be a safe place to meet. 

Cheers 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

So where is the 7th Cavalry!!

We recently received a most disturbing communication from a member concerning Alcoholics Anonymous in the Los Angeles area (US). A whole catalogue of incidents were detailed (in some cases including dates and locations) which in some way related to the conduct of AA members, and most of which would fall into the category of serious criminal acts (including murder and rape). Evidently such cases should always be reported to the appropriate authorities in the first instance so that an investigation might ensue, arrests be made, and, where the evidence allows, prosecutions follow. From our point of view, and where this conduct is proven, such behaviour is utterly repugnant in any context, but when it is associated with AA it has the further impact of bringing us into disrepute thereby undermining our reputation as being a place of security for those who come to us for assistance. Our reporter identified the measures they and others had taken to tackle these serious issues which included notifying the General Service Office in New York as well as the local service structures. It would seem that the responses they received were less than satisfactory. To their credit they have themselves been active in seeking to raise the profile of this situation as well as taking practical steps to ensure that newcomers to our fellowship are protected. Clearly this chimes with aacultwatch's own efforts in this area (although to date we have no evidence that this degree of criminality is associated with any particular cult group in Great Britain). However we would take this opportunity to remind you of the Midtown groups (again the US – and which present an unmistakeable cult profile) where the local service structure failed largely to deal with the problem (and as far as we are aware continue to remain inactive when dealing with these rogue elements). Our reporter identifies a number of factors contributing to this state of affairs which we paraphrase below:

1) A poorly co-ordinated local service structure with insufficient GSR representation to ensure that such anti-social conduct is reported, exposed and then dealt with ie. a lack of transparency and accountability.
2) The court referral system where – and especially in the US – individuals are required to attend AA meetings as part of their sentencing. This results, in some instances, in completely inappropriate referrals being made (ie. individuals who are not alcoholics at all (using any generally accepted definition of the condition)) and/or are unwilling participants and therefore entirely hostile towards AA and engage thereafter in anti-social behaviour causing disruption to AA meetings ie. AA is being used as an inexpensive “dumping ground” by the court system. We have argued elsewhere that the “chit” system leaves itself wide open to abuse and moreover our participation in this form of sentencing is a breach of our own traditions.
3) The failure of the AA collectively - nationally and internationally – and through its respective conferences – to address these issues. The GB conference has issued a set of guidelines in relation to “bullying” within meetings but these are only effective insofar as members and groups are willing to enforce them.
4) Sexual predation specifically is widely reported in the above communication (or 13 stepping as it is referred to within the fellowship). We are not talking here about “boy meets girl and falls in love” (and other variations on this) or even – more commonly - “boy meets girl and falls in lust” but rather a deliberate and serial targetting of vulnerable AA members by “predators” (of both sexes). Even the term “13 Stepping” has in our view the effect of trivialising what in some instances might otherwise be termed “constructive rape”.

We would argue that with reference to the above the single common factor which determines whether this conduct continues or is eliminated (or at least minimised) is whether AA members, acting singly or in groups, are willing to take responsibility for ensuring that every new person coming to our fellowship is not subjected to any form of abuse whatsoever. Too frequently we hear people complaining “Why doesn't York do something?” (in the case of Great Britain), or “Why doesn't intergroup do something?” The fact is that these elements of the service structure can do no more than offer guidance; they have absolutely no powers of enforcement. We would emphasise here that the AA pledge should not be taken as a mere form of words; it means what it says: “I am responsible” - it does NOT say: “Someone else is responsible”. We would urge members to act where any such abuse is going on. In the case of criminal activity this should ALWAYS be reported to the police and as soon as possible (incidentally there exists a legal obligation to do so). In other situations of a non-criminal nature sexual predators, bullies (cult or otherwise) etc may simply be outed. Expose them for what they are. Do NOT collude with them or give them space to continue with their abuse both of members and of the fellowship. Their actions are depriving newcomers of the right to recover and to live free of this deadly disease. Finally: there is NO 7th Cavalry to come to the rescue at the last minute – only you!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)