Domestic violence resources for congregations

In every congregation of every faith, victims, survivors and abusers sit in our pews. Some are listening for words of recognition, understanding, comfort and healing, hoping to hear that the church stands with them and wants them to choose life. All need to hear a clear message that violence in our homes is against the will of God. Our silence makes us complicit to the suffering.

Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network (PADVN) invites you to make your church a place where the gospel of wholeness is heard and lived out. We offer the following resources to aid you in that journey.

Want to do more? Become a member of PADVN.

Domestic violence — the basics

• Safety suggestions tip sheet
  Safety of victims and their children is the number one goal for vulnerable persons and for those who are willing to help. Learn from domestic violence coalitions from around the country.
• Crisis call flow chart
  If you receive an emergency call for help, this flow chart will help direct your conversation and help you to respond in appropriate ways.
• Power and control wheel This wheel, originally developed by the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, Duluth, Minnesota, describes the methods that a perpetrator employs to dominate a victim.
• Am I my sister’s (or brother’s) keeper?
  Do you think your friend is in an abusive relationship? Learn the clues and how you can help.
• Religious community checklist
  Use this checklist from the Nebraska Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition and the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence to learn how your congregation can partner with your community resources to have a coordinated response to domestic violence.
• Community resources and national hotlines
  Print this sheet and use it to create your referral list of community supports. You can’t do referrals without it.
• A congregational domestic violence training plan (Black Mountain Presbyterian Church)

Particular tools for pastors and congregational leadership

• Breaking the silence from the pulpit
  Preaching about domestic violence is not an easy task and sometimes can be risky, but it is worth the risk to begin the healing.
• Responding to domestic violence: guidelines for pastors
  What are the dos and don’ts in responding to victims and perpetrators? Knowing the basics provided in this tip sheet by the Faith Trust Institute may save a life.
• A policy statement on domestic violence couples counseling
• What if you are a new pastor in a new community
• What if your congregation discovered a church officer was charged with domestic violence
• What if the church or the presbytery doesn't want to talk about domestic violence

Worship resources

• Service of remembrance
• A communion liturgy for domestic violence awareness
• Sermon – Clinging to the Threshold of Hope
• Domestic violence sermon
  Remembrance: Where Healing Begins
• Sermon – For of Such are the Kingdom of Heaven
• Women, violence and the church
  A service of confession and healing
• What if your church held a vigil to honor victims

Children and domestic violence

• Children living in violent households
• Children coping with family violence
• Faithfully disciplining our children
• Healthy relationships puppet shows
• Children’s safety plan
  Children can participate and learn strategies to keep them safe during violent episodes. Planning is the key.
• Resources for and about children

Resources for particular populations

• Rural battered women
• Resources for racial ethnic communities
  Looking for resources that are culturally sensitive to various communities? Begin here.
• What if you visit an elderly member and see signs of abuse

Men stopping violence materials

• Why should male ministers preach on domestic violence?
• Ten things men can do to prevent gender violence
• How do I know if I am a batterer?
• Domestic violence intervention programs
• Gloucester men against domestic violence
• Flowers only once - A training event for men in Guatemala

Marketing materials (PADVN)

• Available on the Web flier — color or black & white
  Flier promoting Web site for Domestic Violence Awareness Month materials

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