Interfaith Action to Combat

Domestic Violence

My Interfaith Summer Internship Program Experience

Miriam L. Pearsall, Intern in the summer of 2013

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Interfaith Action to Combat Domestic Violence

Introduction

Although the intended audience of this report is the Interfaith Center of New York

(ICNY), the purpose of this report is to have all audiences consider how addressing social issues

can ironically act as one of the greatest driving forces of unity. In terms of interfaith work, it is

useful for interfaith leaders to consider utilizing a seemingly “secular” social issue to further

their agendas of conducting peaceful, interfaith collaboration.

This past summer, I came to better understand different faiths and cultures as well as the

challenges that interfaith leaders face while trying to orchestrate events and other initiatives. As

an interfaith leader-in-training, I focused on understanding the intersection of domestic violence

and religion rather than personally creating and implementing a program to address domestic

violence in communities of faith. Despite my work being largely for the benefit of ICNY and its

domestic violence program, my experiences and observations this past summer have been more

beneficial to me than I could have ever foreseen.

For this reason, it is my hope that this report will not only serve as a useful tool for my

internship site but also as a small reminder of the importance that interfaith work has in our

lives. When communities of faith harmoniously act together, they come to an understanding of

each other as equal members of humanity. They see themselves as people of one shared world

rather than inhabitants of faith-based islands. This holistic perspective which drives interfaith

action is a perspective which can allow us to more effectively handle different social issues. In

the case of combatting domestic violence, a panoramic approach that utilizes and understands

different communities of faith will create healthier and happier communities for us all.

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Part I: Interfaith Leadership Training

At the beginning of my journey this past summer, I participated in a week-long, intensive

field-based seminar that the creators of the Interfaith Summer Internship Program (ISIP)

arranged for their interns. The purpose of this seminar was to act as an introduction to the major

religious communities of New York City (i.e., Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and

Judaism). Each day of the seminar we explored one of the major religions by meeting with

people of a particular faith either in their neighborhoods or in their places of worship. By

participating in the seminar, I learned not only about different faiths but also about the important

roles that the different places of worship serve in their communities.

Never before that week had I been inside the churches, temples, and mosques of those

with faiths very different from my own. Therefore, I was a bit intimidated and uncomfortable at

the beginning of each new visit. However, towards the end of each day, I felt more comfortable

as I came to see the similarities that I shared with the people that I met rather than focusing on

our differences.

Throughout the course of my internship experience, I noticed that my comfort level with

those of other faiths and the open practicing of their faiths grew exponentially. I even began to

question whether I practiced the “right” religion because of the people that I encountered. Their

genuinely kind and honest natures were the greatest forms of proselytization.

From those that I met in the field, I learned that the greatest tool any interfaith leader

could have is his or her personality. It is the willingness to not only listen but also to find points

of connection and to utilize them effectively. In order to be effective, interfaith leaders must have

a sincere concern and interest in the lives of those they want to unite. As I discovered on

numerous occasions, respect of others is key in maintaining the sincerity that soon builds trust.

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Part II: Religion & Domestic Violence

Along with an increased appreciation for interfaith work, my internship at the Interfaith

Center of New York also greatly increased my interest in domestic violence work. Since my

work at ICNY revolved around its domestic violence programs, I first focused on learning as

much as possible about domestic violence and its particular nuances within religious

communities. I read many materials from the FaithTrust Institute (an organization that focuses on

ending domestic violence in communities of faith) as well as from ICNY’s domestic violence

prevention resource, CONNECT. In the Appendix of this report, I have included some domestic

violence materials that I found particularly useful for communities of faith.

Along with reading and researching about domestic violence, I was also fortunate enough

to be able to attend CONNECT’s workshop about teen dating violence. Although this workshop

focused on teens, it still explained and worked to prevent what is under the large umbrella of

domestic violence.

On more than one occasion while I was researching about domestic violence, different

resources stressed the important role that religion plays in domestic violence cases.

Unfortunately, despite the solace that religion provides in the lives of believers, perpetrators of

domestic violence often use religion as a tool to maintain control over their partners. This form

of abuse is particularly detrimental because it manipulates something that is meant to free one’s

soul into something that binds it. Therefore, romantic partners who are abused stay in

relationships because they are brainwashed to believe that they deserve the suffering which they

are enduring. Clearly, this mindset prevents many domestic violence victims from seeking help.

Of course, there are many reasons why abused men and women stay in relationships. However, I

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would argue that religious beliefs and the cultural values, which are intimately related with

religion, are the most common reasons that abused victims stay in abusive relationships.

Considering the major impact that religion has in the lives of so many domestic violence

victims, it is crucial that religious leaders make a public stand for healthy, loving relationships.

Leaders in faith communities must educate themselves on domestic violence and determine

strategic ways to help end intimate partner violence in their communities. No matter how many

times non-profit agencies inform victims about public avenues to safety, the assurance that

victims will ultimately seek is from someone who they look to for daily guidance. They need

someone who can clearly confirm that violence between partners should not be tolerated. Abused

people would benefit from someone who helps remove the stigma of being a victim of domestic

violence. Religious leaders have this unique influence over their congregants. Therefore, it is

their moral obligation to use their influence to promote nonviolent lifestyles.

Despite the necessity of creating faith-based domestic violence programs, faith leaders

may feel overwhelmed by the notion of another issue to address in their congregations.

Fortunately, working to stop domestic violence fits well into the general promotion of nonviolent

living in communities of faith. Therefore, publicly denouncing violence also combats the

physical aspect of domestic violence. In order to address the other forms of domestic violence

(psychological, emotional, spiritual, etc.), religious leaders should publicly promote harmonious

families that maintain good communication.

Along with making public yet strategic statements (i.e., avoiding stigmatizing labels),

religious leaders can also simply ensure that brochures and other informative materials are

placed in restrooms and lobbies. All it takes is a little creativity and determination to spread the

word about an important cause. Throughout my internship, I shared some useful measures

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against domestic violence that religious leaders can take as well as copies of a brochure about

safety measures that victims of domestic violence should make. For those who are interested, I

have included these materials in the Appendix of this report.

Part III: Findings from My Field Work

After spending much of my summer researching domestic violence and its intersection in

religious communities, I began to do follow-up interviews for the Interfaith Center of New

York’s (ICNY) domestic violence program. These interviews involved reaching out to the 45

participants of the interfaith domestic violence training program that ICNY held with

CONNECT (a domestic violence prevention agency). Out of the 45 participants in the training,

my colleague and I were only able to interview 25 of them. In the next few pages, the questions

that we asked the interviewees are typed in italics. The statistics for the answers that we received

are below each question. Some special notes about the graphs are that I referred to the interviews

that were not finished as “incomplete” and that I referred to interviewees who felt that a question

was not applicable to them for whatever reason as incomplete. Also, for the sake of simplicity, I

created keys to summarize the interviewees’ responses. Hopefully this method will make the

consensuses in thought clearer to readers of this report.

Background

6 out of the 25 interviewees voluntarily admitted to being survivors of domestic violence.

Male 44%

Female56%

Gender of Participants

Male40%Female

60%

Gender of Interviewees

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Buddhists13%

Christians44%

Hindus5%

Jews*13%

Muslims20%

Sikhs5%

Religious Demographics of DV Training Participants

*5 Orthodox Jews; 1 Unspecified Jew

5%10%

5%

20%

5%15%

20%

20%

Christian Denominations Present

African Methodist

Baptist

Church of God in Christ

Episcopal

Horeb Haitian

Interdenominational

Nondenominational

Roman Catholic

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Survey Questions

1) How did the workshop change your understanding of domestic violence?

Average: 3.56/5

Buddhists8%

Christians52%

Hindus0%

Jews*12%

Muslims20%

Sikhs8%

Religious Demographics of Interviewees

*2 Orthodox Jews; 1 Unspecified Jew

16%

23%

8%15%

23%

15%

Christian Denominations of Interviewees

Baptist

Episcopal

Horeb Haitian

Interdenominational

Nondenominational

Roman Catholic

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Key:

0- Didn't Change It At All

1-Had Prior Training in DV but found it helpful

2-Had Prior DV experience but saw it

differently

3-Had Prior DV Training but discovered a new

perspective

4-Discovered Several New Perspectives in DV

5-Completely New Definition of DV

2) Since the workshop, have you developed a ministry or program specifically addressing

domestic violence? If so, what does it look like, how does prevention play a role, and how

many people does it serve?

48%

48%

4%

Developed DV Ministry

Yes

No

N/A

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

1-10 people 10-20people

20-30people

30-40people

40-50people

50+ people

Nu

mb

er o

f D

V M

inis

trie

s

Number of People Served

DV Ministries of Interviewees

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3) Do you ever preach (or teach in your place of worship) about abuse or domestic

violence? If yes, about how many times?

4) Do you ever hold other workshops or sessions on abuse or domestic violence in your

place of worship? If yes, about how many?

56%24%

16%

4%

Preach/Teach about DV

Yes

No

N/A

IncompleteInterview

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

1-2times/year

2-4times/year

4-6times/year

6-8times/year

8-10times/year

More than10

times/year

Nu

mb

er o

f In

terv

iew

ee

s

Frequency of Sermons/Lessons about DV

DV Sermons/Lessons from Interviewees

56%36%

8%

Lead DV Workshops/Sessions

No

Yes

IncompleteInterview

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5) Are there any anecdotes you’d like to share from your experiences with domestic violence

before or after the workshop?

Response Number of Interviewees

Yes 18

No 3

I don’t know 1

Shortened Interview 3

6) How can we continue to support your personal development and your ministry around

domestic violence?

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

1-2times/year

2-4times/year

4-6times/year

6-8times/year

8-10times/year

More than 10times/year

Nu

mb

er

of

Inte

rvie

ewe

s

Frequency of DV Workshops/Sessions

DV Workshops/Sessions Held by Interviewees

10%

10%

16%

6%26%

19%

13%

How ICNY/CONNECT Can Support Interviewees Cannot support

Unsure

DV Awareness Materials

Funding

Workshops

Speakers/Seminars

Regular Contact by Mail/E-mail

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7) On a scale of 1-10, (1 being least useful and 10 being most useful) how useful was the

domestic violence workshop?

Average: 8.54/10

8) In what areas did the workshop fail to meet, meet, or surpass your expectations?

Failed:

Liberal Views-1

Condemnation of Abuser-2

No Next Steps-4

Lack of Foreign Languages-2

Not Enough Legal Perspective-1

Didn't Discuss the Misinterpretations of Holy Books-

1

Difficulty Staying in Touch with CONNECT after the

workshop-1

Conversation wasn't always constructive-1

Feeling "invisible" to the other participants-1

Time of day of the workshop-1

Met:

Complexity of Subject-1

Inclusiveness of Facilitators-1

Motivation-1

I Don't Remember (Too long ago)-1

Surpassed:

How to Address DV with People of Faith-1

How to Recognize DV occurences-2

Equal number of Men and Women Participants-1

How to listen to victims-1

Resources in the workshop-1

Openness/Honesty of Participants-1

Widespread impact of DV-1

Recognizing Abuse towards Men-1

Thoroughness of Workshop-2

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9) How did the workshop change your ministry regarding domestic violence?

10) What are some challenges you face in developing a ministry around domestic violence, or

in applying what you learned at the workshop?

0 1 2 3 4 5

Did Not Change

Approach to Outreach

Created a DV Ministry/Program

Shortened Interview

Not Applicable

No Longer Trivializing Observed Acts of DV

Increase in Community Outreach

More 1-on-1 Sharing of Knowledge

Acknowlegment of Different Points of View

Number of Responses

Changes in DV Ministries Since Workshop

0 1 2 3 4

Reluctance of Victims to Reach Out

Repeated Acts of Abuse

Maintaining the Safety of the Victim

Denial of Witnesses about DV

Clash of Cultures

Stigma of the DV label

Lack of Funding

None/Does Not Know

Separate Lives of Men and Women

Shortened Interview

Not Applicable

Number of Responses

Challenges that Religious Leaders Face in DV work

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11) Are there any anecdotes you’d like to share about moments of personal enlightenment or

transformation during the workshop?

Anecdotes Number

of Similar

Responses

Shortened Interview 2

Not Applicable 1

No 6

No longer remembers 1

Discovered New Emotions because of DV in one’s life 1

Subtle/Simple Acts of Awareness can end DV 2

Extent of DV 1

Forgiveness is key 1

Helplessness of many victims 1

DV is about Control 2

Importance of Religious Leaders in DV work 1

Realization of personal, abusive acts in the past 1

There are actually strong, concerned people in the world 2

Importance of trainings about DV 1

Victims must plan before leaving abuser (leaving without a plan

is dangerous)

1

Realization that DV occurred in one's life 1

Conclusion

Based on my findings from my interviews this summer, there are many changes that

ICNY and CONNECT should make when they continue their domestic violence prevention

efforts in faith communities. The basic and most crucial change that must be made is providing

clear next steps for religious leaders to make after participating in domestic violence training.

Many of the interviewees that I spoke with also felt that some form of follow-up domestic

violence work would be beneficial for them. This could include follow-up workshops or a

regular newsletter to participants that encourages them in their fights to help end domestic

violence.

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Since ICNY is a non-profit agency, I have provided potential funding opportunities for

future interfaith, domestic violence awareness events in the Appendix of this report. I hope that

the resources that I have provided are beneficial to my internship site and the effectiveness of its

future domestic violence programs.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Interfaith Center of New York, CONNECT, and

their respective staffs for creating wonderful learning environments for me. I would like to thank

Anushavan and Annie Rawlings for acting as my supervisors during my internship. I am also

thankful for Kayla Reiman, my wonderful co-interviewer, Matthew Weiner, David Brown, and

Evan Schneider who orchestrated the program, and my fellow interns for their support and

encouragement. I would also like to thank Timur Yuskaev for leading the week-long, intensive

seminar, Ann Familiaran for ensuring that I received my stipend in a timely fashion, and Stanley

Katz for agreeing to be my mentor on this project. Lastly and most importantly, I give thanks to

all of those who participated in the ICNY/CONNECT domestic violence trainings. To both those

that I interviewed and those that I was not able to reach, I am extremely grateful for your sincere

efforts to better yourself and to improve the world around you. Thank you.

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Appendix A

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Appendix B

WHAT RELIGIOUS LEADERS CAN DO

1. Display family-violence brochures in the entrance of all churches and all women’s restrooms.

2. Educate the congregation through monthly newsletters and weekly announcements in church

bulletins and in marriage-preparation classes.

3. Speak out against domestic violence from the pulpit. People’s attitudes and beliefs would be

profoundly and powerfully impacted by their faith leaders.

4. Lead by example. All clergy should be serving on the board of directors of their local

domestic violence agencies or receiving training to become acquainted with community

resources.

5. Offer space for meetings or weekly domestic violence support groups and serve as supervised

visitation sites when parents need to visit safely with their children.

6. Do the theological and scriptural homework necessary to understand and respond better to

family violence, and receive training from domestic violence victim service professionals.

7. Intervene whenever violence in a relationship is suspected. Speak to each member of the

couple separately, and help the victim plan for safety. Couples counseling is unsafe for victims

and can result in death from an abuser’s retaliation for the victim’s disclosure to any outsider.

FAITH-BASED RESOURCES FOR VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS

Jewish Women International

website: www.jewishwomen.org

Christians Addressing Family Abuse (CAFA)

541-686-6000

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The Peaceful Families Project (Project Director is Sharifa Alkhateeb)

e-mail: nacmw@aol.com

Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence (CSPDV)

website: www.cpsdv.org

The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services

e-mail: SBeardPARC@aol.com

Manavi

website: www.manavi.org

Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute

(Executive Director is Rev. Aubra Love)

e-mail: BCDVorg@aol.om

Neighbors Who Care

800-NWC-7770

Appendix C

Funding Opportunities from the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

(www.vawnet.org) for the Interfaith Center of New York

1. Title: Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants

Category: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Admin Agency: Georgia-Pacific Foundation

Program: The Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports a wide range of nonprofit

organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific

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operates, and where company employees live and work. (Information on Georgia-Pacific

facilities and locations is available on the company’s website.) The Foundation has

identified the following key investment areas: education, including job readiness and

literacy; community enrichment, including affordable housing, cultural, and safety

programs; environment, including resource conservation and clean air/clean water; and

entrepreneurship, especially among youth, women, and minorities.

Award: Varies

Eligibility: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools, and tax-exempt

public service agencies (e.g. Police/Fire Departments) in the U.S. are eligible to apply.

Letter of Intent Deadline:

Application Deadline: 10/31/2013

Application Guidelines / Submissions: See the website for detailed information.

Website: Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants

2. Title: Grassroots Action Grants

Category: SOCIAL CHANGE

Admin Agency: North Star Fund

Program: Grassroots Action Grants help new, emerging, and small groups engaged in

community organizing build leadership and grassroots activism in New York City's

needy communities.

Award: $5,000 or $10,000 each

Eligibility: Organizations with annual budgets under $350,000 engaged in community

organizing are eligible

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Letter of Intent Deadline:

Application Deadline: 9/13/2013

Application Guidelines / Submissions: See the website for detailed information.

Website: Grassroots Action Grants

3. Title: Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program-GOSC

Category: SOCIAL CHANGE

Admin Agency: Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

Program: The Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program supports non-profit

grassroots, constituent-led organizations across the country that are using direct action,

grassroots community-organizing strategies to accomplish their goals. We consider

proposals that are aligned with the Foundation’s broad interests in social justice,

environmental justice and sustainable food systems. The GOSC Grant Program has three

grant cycles per year: Two for new applicants and one for renewal applicants that have

been funded in within the past two years. If an application is selected for further

consideration, the organization will be approved to submit a full proposal online. New

proposals are reviewed in the 1st and 3rd Quarters. Renewal proposals are reviewed in

the 2nd Quarter.

Award: Amounts up to $300,000 for individual projects; up to $500,000 for consortia

projects

Eligibility: Organizations with 501(c)(3) status, or who have a fiscal agent with this

status are eligible to apply; organizational budget must be under $500,000;

Letter of Intent Deadline: 9/13/2013; 11/15/2013

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Application Deadline: 0000/00/00

Application Guidelines / Submissions: Visit the website for complete application

guidelines/submission. Letter of Intent (LOI) New Applicants: 9/13/2013; Letter of Intent

(LOI) Renewal: 11/15/2013

Website: Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program-GOSC

4. Title: Grants for Injury Control Research Centers

Category: VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Admin Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for

Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)

Program: The Injury Control Research Centers (ICRCs) will conduct high quality

research and help translate scientific discoveries into practice for the prevention and

control of fatal and nonfatal injuries, violence, and related disabilities that support

NCIPC’s priorities and mission. The ICRCs are expected to address important and

relevant injury and/or violence prevention topic areas and to be a national leader in the

area of injury and/or violence prevention. The Centers are to collaborate with

stakeholders and community partners including state and local health agencies and

nonprofit, community and non-governmental organizations in the development and

delivery of relevant interventions to improve the prevention and control of injuries and/or

violence. Two categories of ICRCs will be funded: comprehensive centers and

development centers. The comprehensive center awards are similar in scope to the

currently funded ICRCs (Project period of 5 years, budgets of $900,000 per year and an

organizational structure consisting of an administrative core, outreach core, training and

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education core, and multiple research projects). The developmental center awards are

smaller in scope and are designed to build capacity in core activities and infrastructure

with a smaller portion of the award devoted to research activities.

Award: $3,600,000 is available in FY 2014 to fund up to five applications: three (3)

comprehensive center awards and two (2) developmental center awards; maximum award

amount per year: $900,000 for each of the three comprehensive centers and $450,000 for

each of the two developmental centers

Eligibility: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit institutions,

governments

Letter of Intent Deadline: 9/6/2013

Application Deadline: 11/4/2013

Application Guidelines / Submissions: See the announcement for detailed information.

* 1. Click on the link below to access the Search Grants page of Grants.gov * 2. At the

Funding Opp# Search box, enter the number: RFA-CE-14-001 and click the SEARCH

button * 3. The results page appears; click on the blue-highlighted Funding Opportunity

Number to retrieve the: Synopsis Detail, Version History, Full Announcement, and

Application Package

Website: Grants for Injury Control Research Centers