What Can Churches and Synagogues Do to Help End Domestic Violence?

1. Get involved with your local domestic violence shelter or program

2. Co-sponsor a training on the dynamics of domestic violence

3. Help by raising money and making donations

4. Volunteer your time or resources

5. Put domestic violence information your bulletin or newsletter- asks someone from the domestic violence program to write an article

6. Invite a representative from the domestic violence program to speak to subcommittees and meetings

7. Have domestic violence information available for members of the congregation who may be abused or abusive.

8. Make the church or synagogue a safe environment to ask for help- have information such as posters with the local domestic violence programs phone number available in clergy offices, in restrooms, and at women’s meetings.

9. Continue to educate yourselves

10. Do not engage in victim blaming only the abuser is responsible for the choice to be violent.

11. Reinforce to children that abuse is never their fault

12. Understand that abusers are manipulative and coercive and will often make promises to change, yet never will

13. Address domestic violence in Sunday School or at children’s classes or youth groups. For example children can take a “Hands Are Not for Hitting” pledge where they trace and color their own hands and sign a promise not to use their hands for violence.

14. Address domestic violence from the pulpit- make it known that any kind of abuse is unjustified.

15. Encourage clergy and church leaders to receive intensive training on domestic violence so they are better able to help.

For more information on addressing domestic violence or for assistance please contact your local domestic violence program/shelter or you may contact the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, the statewide coalition on domestic violence at (614) 781-9651 or (800) 934-9840. You may also contact the Ohio Domestic Violence Network for resources on the religious response to domestic violence and pastoral care. Also see our Clearinghouse for resources that can be borrowed for use with your religious community when addressing family violence.