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For faith communities Where there is fear there can be no love. (1 John 4:16-19) (Psalm 73:6-9)
In an Island survey of attitudes and beliefs about family violence, a significant percentage of respondents said they would go to clergy or church members if they needed help. This result indicates there is a powerful role for faith communities in helping to end relationship violence.
Faith communities share the belief that all human beings are deserving of respect, justice and protection. They also share the belief that, called to be a transforming presence, they are built on the foundation of love for one another.
Promoting healthy relationships and supporting those in need are powerful tools for influencing people. When communities of faith, speaking with a clear, strong voice, unite to condemn family violence, we begin to heal individuals, families and communities.
What Faith Communities Can Do to Make a Difference
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Become a sanctuary - Make your place of worship a safe place for victims of family violence. Display materials that include available resources for both victims and abusers. Let your congregation know that clergy or faith leaders are there to help.
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Educate yourself - Study the problem, understand the issues and learn what you can do. Get training from professionals in the fields of dating violence, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, emotional abuse, abuse of older adults, neglect, and criminal harassment. Review materials designed to assist faith communities with issues related to violence in relationships. An example of an ecumenical resource is the Fire in the Rose: Churches Exploring Abuse and Healing, available from Community Legal Information Association of PEI,
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Get involved in prevention - Routinely include information on family violence in bulletins, newsletters, on bulletin boards and in marriage preparation classes. Discuss issues around anger, power, control and the use of violence in its many forms. Invite a guest speaker to talk about family violence or sponsor an educational seminar on the issue. Encourage the congregation to get involved.
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Break the silence - A faith leader can have a powerful impact on people's attitudes and beliefs. Speak out on family violence from the pulpit and in prayer. Be an advocate for informing others on how to recognize abuse and where to go for help . Leadership is also important on public policy issues such as funding and changes in criminal law.
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Lead by example - Volunteer and support your local transition house, family violence outreach service or violence prevention program. Train to become a crisis volunteer or seek out ways to support those who are doing the work.
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Partner with existing resources - Offer meeting space to an existing support program or resource. Victims sometimes need a safe space to meet with supporters, and parents sometimes need a safe site for supervised visits. Make a donation to a local organization providing services to victims of family violence. Volunteer your time with a local treatment program for abusers. Find out from different resources and agencies what kinds of support and donations they most need and invite your congregation to participate in meeting those needs.
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Intervene with compassion - If you suspect that violence is occurring in a family or relationship, speak to each person separately. Safety is always the first priority and talking to a victim and abuser together can put the victim at greater risk. Empowering a person who has no power begins with making sure he or she is safe and providing assurance that the victim is not to blame for the abusive behaviour.
Compassionate counselling means helping victims identify their strengths, the resources available to them and the options they have. Encourage the victim to come to his or her own decisions. Provide supportive and non-judgemental information and avoid the temptation to 'take over' or tell the other person what he or she should do. The most important gift you can give someone experiencing an abusive relationship is the opportunity to believe in themselves and their own decisions and capabilities.
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Support professional training - Encourage and support family violence training and education for faith leaders, clergy, lay ministers, chaplains and seminary students. When abuse is the issue, ignorance can aggravate the problem and further endanger victims.
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Address internal issues - Encourage continued efforts by faith institutions to appropriately respond to all allegations of abuse. These efforts must be taken seriously and acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. By modeling appropriate action, the faith institution promotes the rights of safety and security for all persons.
Worship Resources [PDF]
includes suggested scripture passages and prayers
Reference:
1. National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women (2001). Tookkit to End Violence Against Women: Engaging Religious, Spiritual and Faith-Based Groups and Organizations, chap. 12.
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