CLC Clergy, Congregations and Community Program

Clergy, Congregations and Communities for Change
Religious Perspectives on Domestic Violence

Ignoring family violence won’t make it go away. We must see it for what it is a problem of epidemic proportion. It exists in our homes, schools, churches and destroys what we value most, the people we love.
It takes everyone, together to end the crime of domestic violence in our community. Recognizing that family violence exists is the first step. We cannot cover it up or pretend it doesn’t happen. It does, and it must end.
Advocates working to end domestic violence and survivors of abuse agree on one thing: If the cycle of violence is not interrupted, it often escalates in frequency and severity. Experts claim that if there is no intervention future violence is inevitable and the cycle will continue.

The following are the program goals and objectives for educating clergy and selected members of their staff and members of their congregation.

Program Goals:
To develop a working relationship between both the religious leaders of the community and secular organizations so each may provide resources to those suffering from the dark secret of domestic violence.

Presentations, discussions, and exercises will provide valuable information to clergy, staff and laity on how to respond to the needs of victims and provide resources and information on how and where to seek help.

Program Objectives:
• Explain the history of domestic violence;
• Outline the basic dynamics of domestic violence;
• Motivate clergy, staff members, and in turn, congregations to support battered
  women and children and to hold batterers accountable for this crime;
• Illustrate ways clergy and staff can work with community resources on prevention
  and intervention;
• Discuss ways that secular and religious communities can work together to bring
  support and physical safety to all victims experiencing domestic violence.

Each participant will be given a workshop booklet he/she may use as a future reference guide. This booklet will provide the items addressed plus articles provided by the FaithTrust Institute on:
      • Guidelines for Pastors and Rabbis: Responding to Domestic Violence
      • A Policy Statement on Domestic Violence
      • A Commentary on Religious Issues in Family Violence, by Rev. Marie Fortune
      • The video Broken Vows will by used as a medium for discussion and community
        involvement.

Contact gingerdecoteau@clc-inc.org for information on how to involve your place of worship in the cessation of domestic violence in our community.

Welcome to the Community Learning Council, where education inspires success in people and communities.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Click here to view the batterer intervention program PSA's. If you
are interested in airing
the PSAs in your area, contact us.