Statement Regarding GRACE Investigation of Dr. David Pooler

Although CSM Research Insights is a quarterly digest, I am writing to you today in between publications in response to an independent investigation performed by GRACE, released this week, regarding credible allegations of multiple forms of misconduct against Dr. David Pooler.

Since Dr. Pooler was interviewed in a previous issue of CSM Research Insights, and his research on adult clergy sexual abuse was featured on ClergySexualMisconduct.com, I wanted to inform our readership regarding the investigation findings, which can be read in full here. Please be aware that the report may be distressing to read, especially for abuse survivors. Please exercise care.

While the quality of Dr. Pooler’s research on adult clergy sexual abuse is not under scrutiny, and the experiences and stories of the survivors who lent their voices are valid and undeniably important, his research and interviews were removed from the website and digest earlier upon learning of the allegations.

I am sincerely sorry for not detailing why his work was removed earlier and waiting until the investigation was completed to make this announcement. Although ClergySexualMisconduct.com and CSM Research Insights are not formal institutions, I recognize that they serve as resources for readers, and that providing context for the removal of Dr. Pooler’s work would have been appropriate and helpful to our readership.

To everyone who participated in the investigation, thank you for sharing your experiences. Thank you to Restored Voices Collective for initiating the third-party investigation.

If you need someone to talk to regarding this difficult information, RAINN provides a 24/7 help line.

I also recommend this informative article by Jaime Simpson, “Ethics in Therapeutic Practice: Why Boundaries Matter,” especially for clergy, advocates, and other professionals who provide care. Reading this before or after engaging with the investigation report may provide additional context to understand the allegations more fully.

Thank you for your time and attention. I apologize for this unexpected content in between publications, as this is not the norm.

Sincerely,
T. P. Zamora
Editor, CSM Research Insights