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Domestic Violence. Religious Perspectives. Objectives. Educate about the basic dynamics of domestic violence Motivate to be supportive of battered women and call batterers to account Illustrate ways to work on prevention Illustrate how secular and religious communities can work together.
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Domestic Violence Religious Perspectives
Objectives • Educate about the basic dynamics of domestic violence • Motivate to be supportive of battered women and call batterers to account • Illustrate ways to work on prevention • Illustrate how secular and religious communities can work together
Domestic Violence “a pattern of abuse and control exercised by one person over another in an intimate relationship”
When a woman reports she is battered • Listen, believe her, avoid blaming her • Help her protect herself • Get expert help • Hold the abuser accountable • Don’t use mediation • Don’t do couple counseling • Don’t use the crisis as a means to evangelize
Abuse Prevention • Speak out in sermons against battering and for equality and mutual respect in relationships • Deal with equality, conflict, violence, control in pre-marital counseling • Use available child & teenage curricula to help prevent domestic violence
Laying the foundation • Establish committee on domestic violence • Get special education and training • Connect with a battered women’s shelter • Open a transitional house as cong. project • Invite domestic violence professionals to address adult classes • Have brochures available • Make it clear that violence is not acceptable family behavior • Speak up when someone tells a wife-beating joke
Where to get more information • Center for Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence • 936 North 34th Street, Suite 200 • Seattle, Washington 98103 • (206) 634-1903 • FAX (206) 634-0115