THIS INFORMATION APPLIES TO PEOPLE OF ALL
FAITHS, REGARDLESS OF HOW OR WHERE THEY PRACTICE.
Q. What is Domestic Violence?
A. Domestic Violence is a pattern
of coercive behavior used by one person in order to maintain power and control
in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence includes actual or threatened
physical , sexual, psychological, or economic abuse.
It occurs between persons who are current or former sexual or
intimate partners or who live in the same household, regardless of sexual
orientation. Victims and abusers come from all age groups and social classes.
Ninety-Five percent of victims of domestic violence are
women.
Q. I find it difficult to believe
that this is happening in my faith community. Is that possible?
A. Unfortunately, domestic violence
is so prevalent that it is almost certain that there are both victims and
abusers in every faith community, including yours. According to a very recent
study, nearly one in three women reported being physically abused by a spouse or
boyfriend at some point in her life. Hard as it is to believe or understand, the
fact is that victims and abusers can be found within all institutions within the
community, including faith
communities.
Q. How can my faith community help
those who are affected by domestic violence?
A. Faith Communities have great potential to
help both victims and abusers. However, it is important to intervene in a way
that does not make a difficult situation worse. The most important thing your
community can do is develop a relationship with the domestic violence program
that serves your area, and work collaboratively with that program to ensure that
both the spiritual and secular needs of victims and abusers in your faith
community are met.
Q. I am the leader of my faith
community. If I refer one of my members to a domestic violence program, how can
I be sure that person's spiritual needs will be met?
A. Domestic violence programs are experts in
meeting the secular needs of victims, their children, and abusers. They are not
experts in spiritual matters, however, and this is an area in which faith
communities can be of great help. If you refer a member of your faith community
to a domestic violence program, you should be willing to work with staff there
to help address the member's spiritual needs. Do not expect the domestic
violence program to be able to do that without your help. Offer yourself as a
resource.
Q. What if both the victim and the
abuser are members of my faith community?
A. You must attend to the needs of both, but
the victims' safety must always be your first priority. Avoid the temptation to
offer marital counseling. Until the violence has stopped, marital counseling
will only give the abuser another forum in which to use abusive tactics to
control the victim.
Q. How can I learn more about this
important topic to share with my faith community?
The domestic violence program that serves
your area is an invaluable resource for training and consultation on this
complex issue. Contact information for domestic violence programs in West
Virginia is located here. The toll free 24
hour National Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE. This website
also offers links for further study about domestic violence. To access this
page, click
here.
More suggestions for communities of
faith:
[Adapted in part from the Nebraska Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition and the Center for the Prevention of
Sexual and Domestic Violence, Seattle, WA]
The religious community provides a safe haven
for women and families in need. In addition, it exhorts society to share
compassion and comfort with those afflicted by the tragedy of domestic violence.
Leaders of the religious community have identified actions to share with the
nation to create a unified response to violence against women.
-
Become a Safe Place. Make your church, temple, mosque or synagogue a safe
place where victims of domestic violence can come for help. Display brochures
and posters which include the telephone number of the domestic violence and
sexual assault programs in your area. Publicize the National Domestic Violence
Hotline number, 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) or 1-800-787- 3224(TDD).
-
Educate the Congregation Provide ways for members of the congregation to learn as
much as they can about domestic and sexual violence. Routinely include
information in monthly newsletters, on bulletin boards, and in marriage
preparation classes. Sponsor educational seminars on violence against women in
your congregation.
- Speak Out Speak out about domestic violence and sexual assault from the pulpit. As
a faith leader, you can have a powerful impact on peoples' attitudes and
beliefs.
- Lead by Example. Volunteer. Volunteer to serve on the board of directors
at the local domestic violence/sexual assault program or attend a training to
become a crisis volunteer.
- Offer Space Offer meeting space for educational seminars or weekly support groups
or serve as a supervised visitation site when parents need to visit safely their
children.
- Partner with Existing Resources Include your local domestic violence or
sexual assault program in donations and community service projects. Adopt a
shelter for which your church, temple, mosque or synagogue provides material
support, or provide similar support to families as they rebuild their lives
following a shelter stay.
- Prepare to be a Resource. Do the theological and scriptural homework necessary to
better understand and respond to family violence and receive training from
professionals in the fields of sexual and domestic violence.
- Intervene. If you suspect violence is occurring in a relationship, speak to each
member of the couple separately. Help the victim plan for safety. Let both
individuals know of the community resources available to assist them. Do not
attempt couples counseling.
- Support Professional Training. Encourage and support training
and education for clergy and lay leaders, hospital chaplains, and seminary
students to increase awareness about sexual and domestic violence.
- Address Internal Issues. Encourage continued efforts by religious institutions to
address allegations of abuse by religious leaders to insure that religious
leaders are a safe resource for victims and their children.
|
