When her husband battered Carol, she turned to the place where she usually sought out help, her church. My minister suggested that I get a new cookbook to improve my cooking. I think he was trying to help, but he did not understand domestic violence.
Many women turn to their faith community for support when they are abused.
The Support Network for Battered Women has been involved in many faith community based efforts to ensure clergy, religious leaders and congregations can support battered women. An Interfaith Conference on Domestic Violence . Over 280 clergy, religious leaders and domestic violence advocates attended this conference whose goal was to support the continuing efforts of clergy and faith communities to prevent and address domestic violence, and to assist participants to become better allies to families who are experiencing domestic violence. The conference was the product of an active collaboration of faith communities, public health departments and domestic violence agencies. Over 40 organizations and religious groups sponsored this effort.