This section provides information on how community and faith-based organizations respond and provide support to children, youth, and families who are exposed to domestic violence.
Creating Safe Faith Communities
Pennsylvania Coalition to End Domestic Violence
Explores the role faith leaders play in promoting safe and healthy communities through their role in establishing the moral and ethical compass for their members. Faith leaders can contribute to important conversations about domestic violence.
Domestic Violence and Faith
National Network to End Domestic Violence (2018)
Discusses the intersection between domestic violence and faith for survivors as a healing tool and how abusers may manipulate religious beliefs.
Domestic Violence and Faith Communities: Guidelines for Leaders (PDF - 3,707 KB)
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Governor's Office of Faith Based Community Development Services (2017)
Offers and overview of domestic violence for faith leaders and a discussion of religion and culture, the role of the faith community, how faith leaders can help, working with children, self-care for faith leaders, and more.
Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response Team Kent County, Michigan
U.S. Department of Justice (2015)
Highlights a multidisciplinary team working in domestic violence prevention that partners with law enforcement, legal professionals, health care workers, and members of the faith community. The team's mission is to bring together members of the community to eliminate domestic violence.
Faith and Intimate Partner Violence: Handbook for Advocates (PDF - 1,505 KB)
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and FaithTrust Institute (2015)
Guides faith leaders in working with survivors of intimate partner violence and their families. The resource includes an overview of topics such as cultural competency, honoring diversity, opportunities for community collaboration, and the appropriate response from the faith community.
FaithTrust Institute
Provides a range of services and resources as a national, multifaith, multicultural training, and education organization working to end sexual and domestic violence. The organization gives communities and advocates the tools and knowledge needed to address religious and cultural issues related to violence and abuse.
Jewish Women International
Offers information on projects, resources, and training to support the safety of women and girls, as well as ways to identify and serve victims of abuse and ideas to break the cycle of violence in Jewish relationships and homes.
Peaceful Families Project
Focuses on domestic violence prevention with Muslim families of diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. The organization works in the areas of prevention, intervention, community education, training, and research.
Role of Faith Leaders and Laity in Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, VAWnet (2019)
Examines the role of communities of faith and faith leaders in the response to and prevention of domestic violence. Survivors of domestic violence may turn to faith leaders for guidance and support instead of domestic violence services, and faith leaders should be educated on how to respond.
Safe Havens
Promotes the role of the faith community in preventing and responding to domestic violence and elder abuse.
Training for Faith Communities
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, VAWnet (2019)
Presents training resources members of faith communities and faith leaders can use to learn more about domestic violence and how to assist families affected by violence.
Translated Strengthening Families Materials
Provides access to Strengthening Families in many other languages for international, national, and local partners. Strengthening Families is a research-informed approach that aims to increase family strengths, enhance child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.