By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 2, 2026 at 10:46 AM
In a recent independent investigation, credible allegations have surfaced against Dr. David Pooler, a professor at Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. The allegations pertain to sexual misconduct and the violation of professional boundaries, particularly involving survivors of adult clergy sexual abuse—a group central to Pooler’s research and clinical work. Despite these allegations, as of September 1, Dr. Pooler remains a faculty member at Baylor.
Dr. Pooler’s professional profile highlights his advocacy for creating safe spaces and prioritizing safety and accountability. His work, particularly as the director of the Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse: Advocacy and Research Collaborative (ACSARC), focuses on advocating for healthier and safer religious systems. His involvement in the field spans over 15 years, concentrating on adult clergy sexual abuse.
The investigation, conducted by Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), was commissioned by the Restored Voices Collective (RVC) following reports of misconduct by Dr. Pooler. The RVC, a non-profit organization, supports survivors of adult clergy sexual abuse. At the time of the allegations, Dr. Pooler served on the RVC’s advisory board. GRACE’s investigation included interviews with 18 witnesses and 41 survey responses, though the report notes that its findings are not exhaustive.
The Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, named after a pioneering researcher in adult clergy sexual abuse, continues to be a significant institution in this field. Following the death of Dr. Diana Garland in 2015, Dr. Pooler carried on her research, gaining recognition and a high stature among survivors. However, some witnesses described Dr. Pooler as enjoying the attention and being viewed as a “celebrity” within the community.
In light of these findings, current and former students have called for accountability, sending an open letter to the School of Social Work deans. This situation underscores the importance of safeguarding those who have experienced abuse and ensuring that those in positions of authority uphold the highest standards of conduct. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God,” it is crucial to address such matters with integrity and compassion, prioritizing the well-being of victims and the pursuit of justice.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
