Faith and fear

Redefining the Role of Religion in Domestic Violence

Alessandro Rey Bermudez HUSB 337/S1 Confronted by Violence Springfield College, Spring Semester Assignment 4: Preventing Violence

Religion

a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

Source: merriam-webster.com

MAJOR WORLD Religions

Source: www.adherents.com

MAJOR WORLD Religions

Source: University of Akron School of Social Work Child Welfare Program

Religion And domestic violence

Religion is often the reason victims stay

Traditional practices and generational instruction Abuser inappropriately using scriptures to justify and/or manipulate Victims convinced they will be ostracized by church leadership or punished by God Victims fear losing networks and friends if they were to speak up Dont ask dont tell

Negative Perspectives of the Church

Reports of clergy abuse Doctrine on divorce Leadership focused on keeping families together at whatever cost Disconnect between church leadership and congregation Social service workers who believe religion is the cause of domestic violence

S o u rc e : U t a h D o m e s ti c Vi o l e n c e C o u n c i l I n t e r f a i t h Le a d e r s C o m m i tt e e

findings

Pe r s o n a l f a i t h a n d a f a i t h c o m m u n i t i e s a re e s s e n t i a l t o t h e h e a l i n g p ro c e s s o f v i c t i m s , f a m i l i e s a n d a b u s e r s .

T h e re i s a n e e d t o h e a l t h e b ro ke n re l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e c h u rc h a n d t h e s o c i a l s e r v i c e c o m m u n i t y.

S t r a t e g i e s f o r re c o n n e c t i n g p e o p l e t o f a i t h c o m m u n i t i e s a re cr u c i a l t o overall community healing.

Religion today

increasing number of people becoming more spiritual and less religious

S o u rc e : 2 1 s t C e n t u r y Fa i t h Form a t i o n Tr a i n i n g

Strategies for healing

Redefining the role of faith leaders
Talk about domestic violence and the church stance from the pulpit Clarifying Gods view by properly interpreting scripture Encourage the faith community to hold abusers accountable Stay informed and familiar with domestic violence within faith community

Redefining the role of the church

Provide a safe space and tangible support system for victims Develop an action plan for victims and their families Collaborate with professional faith based therapist Collaborate with community and government organizations

S o u rc e : S o u rc e : U t a h D o m e s t i c Vi o l e n c e C o u n c i l I n t e r f a i t h Le a d e r s C o m m i t t e e

CURRENT INITIATIVES
Resource Guides Fa i t h Le a d e r s Wo r k i n g w i t h Vi c t i m s o f D o m e s t i c Vi o l e n c e a n d T h e i r A b u s e r s U t a h D o m e s t i c Vi o l e n c e C o u n c i l
h t t p: / /o n l i n e l i b r a r y. w i l e y. c o m / d o i / 1 0 . 1 1 1 1 / j . 1 4 6 8 - 5 9 0 6 . 2 0 0 4 . 0 0 2 3 6 . x / a b s t r a c t

Literature L a t i n o C h u rc h Le a d e r s a n d D o m e s t i c Vi o l e n c e : At t i t u d e s a n d

K n o w l e d g e - N a t a l i e A m e s , Ti n a U . H a n c o c k , & A n d re w O. B e h n ke
h t t p : / / w w w. f a m i l i e s i n s o c i e t y. o r g / a r t i c l e a r c h i v e / 2 0 1 1 / 9 2 - 2 _ a m s . p d f

National Initiatives Fa i t h B a s e d a n d C o m m u n i t y I n i t i a t i v e s T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Department of Health and Human Services

h t t p: / /w w w. s a m h s a . g o v / f b c i / b a c k g r o u n d . a s p x

Conclusion
These actions may:
Help victims and families keep their faith alive

Provide systems of support that are inclusive instead of exclusive

Provide for appropriate integration amongst service providers Provide healing on multiple levels

Establish a culture of change for future generations