10 Ways Faith Leaders
Can Help End Domestic Violence?
As a faith leader you are in a powerful position
of influence when it comes to addressing domestic violence in the Christian home. Victims,
survivors, and abusers often seek counsel with their pastor, minister, priest, or rabbi.
Here are 10 things you can do to help address and end domestic violence in the faith community:
1. Understand that you do not have to know everything.
It is understood that in your position people often expect you to know everything…but this would be an impossible
task. You do not have to be an expert on domestic violence because there are
Christian counselors equipped to deal with this issue.
2. Link up with a trained counselor or experienced pastor. Consulting
someone about an issue that is out of your area of expertise is not a sign of failure or weakness…it is a sign of strength. You can also speak with a local domestic violence agency and learn about the proper
procedures for referring victims. Domestic violence is serious and is not to
be taken lightly; because of the influence you have it is important that you use wisdom when speaking with a victim, abuser,
couple, about the subject.
3. Understand the Religious Aspects of Domestic Violence:
- Christian women may feel compelled to stay in abusive relationships by scripture mandating them to "submit to their
husbands" or "turn the other cheek."
- Abused women often feel abandoned by God.
- Rather than offering resources and alternatives to battered women, those pastors, priests and rabbis who don't understand
domestic violence have often advised women to return to violent homes and be "better wives."
4. Create an environment that makes victims and survivors feel supported and holds abusers accountable. Secrecy is one of the most dangerous aspects of domestic violence because victims are
suffering in silence. If a victim feels they are in a place of love and support, and place where they will be listened
to and not judged, they will more apt to speak out about the problems in their marriage. You can create a supportive
environment by using posters, brochures, bulletin inserts, etc. Print Domestic Violence hotline numbers in your
bulletins and church newsletters.
5. Have a resource library of brochures, books and other resources on domestic violence available for
both clergy and members of the congregation.
6. Support training
for faith leaders about domestic violence. Faith leaders are often reluctant receive any continuing education in
this area but understand that the general marriage counseling techniques taught in religious training are inadequate or even
dangerous for dealing with domestic violence.
7. Speak out against domestic violence in sermons. Your entire sermon does not need to be about
the dynamics of domestic violence, but your speaking against domestic violence sends a message to both the abuser and victim. It sends the message that domestic violence is not right, nor biblically justified.
8. Include education about domestic and dating violence in pre-marriage counseling. Faith leaders are often reluctant to deal with the issue of domestic violence within a marriage, because
on a personal level domestic violence is not condoned; however, the leader does not want to advocate divorce. Your speaking about the dynamics of domestic violence during pre-marriage counseling sessions may save
a couple in an unhealthy relationship from entering into an unhealthy and abusive marriage.
9. Invite domestic and sexual violence advocates to make presentations about the issues and available
services. Seeing the faces of advocates will help your congregation, whether they are victims or not,
see them as humans rather than wicked service providers.
10. Participate
in your local domestic violence agency, taskforce, or coalition by serving on the board, and/or supporting awareness events
against domestic violence. The faith community is extremely powerful in influencing change. Your presence and support
of your local domestic violence agency, task force, or coalition adds a sense of credibility to many members of
the community that would otherwise shy away from these agencies.
Written By Tamika Johnson
