• The Ethics Review System is a compassionate and supportive peer review process that explores allegations of ethical violations, including sexual misconduct.
• It is comprised of a team of highly skilled and trained Credentialed Leaders.
• Members of the UWM staff do not serve on review teams. UWM's Chief Operating Officer provides oversight and guidance to ERS.
• Ministers, Ministerial Candidates, LUTs, UWM Staff Members, UWM Board Members, and Ministries can be reviewed.
• This system only addresses ethical concerns. Concerns about competency are handled by the Ethics Review Team and Member Support staff.

Challenges and disagreements occur in all organizations, including ministries. Not every challenge, disagreement, or concern is ethical in nature as defined by UWM’s Codes of Ethics. Most interpersonal challenges can be addressed through facilitated dialogue or education and do not require a review.

To submit an ethical concern please fill in and sign the Release of Information form and forward it to ERS@unity.org. The concern will be reviewed in the context of Unity’s policies and Codes of Ethics to determine if it is ethical in nature.

• If an issue is determined to be of an ethical nature, a signed release of information form from the complainant must be received to begin a review.
• Once the signed release is received, the ERS Coordinator sends a letter of notification to the reviewee including:
  • That a review has been initiated
  • The nature of the concern
  • The original written complaint
  • That initiation does not mean a determination has been made; ERS is simply exploring the allegation
  • The name of the reviewee’s Advocate
• The Advocate calls the reviewee within 48 hours after notification has been sent.
• The complaint is assessed by an ERS team: a Case Manager, an Advocate for the Reviewee, and an Advocate for the Complainant.
• Decisions of the review can include:
  • Clearance
  • Ethics violation confirmed with a Plan of Action (PoA) to address behavior
  • Suspension
  • License or Ordination rescinded

For more information, please contact ERS@unity.org.

The UWM Sexual Conduct Policy addresses the issue of sexual misconduct including, but not limited to, sexual molestation, sexual abuse/harassment, and sexual exploitation by Unity Credentialed Leadership. The policy also specifies procedures by which a Unity Credentialed Leader can ethically transition a pastoral relationship into a personal or romantic relationship.

All Unity Credentialed Leaders are mandatory reporters and must contact their state officials regarding any allegations of child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of those who are differently abled.

We commit to direct and compassionate communication and support Unity leaders and ministries to engage in positive public discourse. Download the Policy