Domestic Violence – Old page

The church must be a safe place for victims of sexual and gender-based violence to share their stories and seek support. It is our responsibility to help end domestic violence. Even if we do not know their faces, victims and batterers alike sit in our pews and worship within our walls. Whether we want to be or not, the Church is at the front lines of this issue.

Learn more about how you can be a support and an advocate for the people in your congregation and community.

Ways to Witness Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Thursdays in Black: Resistance and Resilience
The campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays. Wear a pin to declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you. Learn more via the World Council of Churches.

Break the Silence Sunday
April 22, 2018
Break the Silence Sunday is a time for the church to learn together about the realities of rape and sexual violence; about ways to create a community where survivors can share their stories and receive support, hope, and love; and to prayerfully consider ways in which they can be advocates for change in their communities, and around the world. Learn more and download resources.

Speak Out Sunday
October 2018
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Speak Out Sabbath is an interfaith advocacy weekend coordinated by the We Will Speak Out Coalition. Clergy are encouraged to engage in speaking out against sexual and gender-based violence in an intentional and faithful way during worship with their congregations. Worship resources, sermon starters, litanies, and children’s resources are being updated and added daily. Learn more.

General Synod 14Take Action

Stand in Solidarity with Victims of Gender-Based Violence!
We are called to oppose violence and abuse and ensure the protection and safety of others. Act now. Tell Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

Stop Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Around the World
SGBV is a human rights violation, a public health epidemic, and a barrier to solving global issues like poverty. Tell Congress to support ending sexual and gender-based violence worldwide by supporting the International Violence Against Women Act.

Disarm Domestic Violence
Women are 5X more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a gun. Act now to close loopholes that allow stalkers and abusers to access firearms.

Be a DV resource in your community

Read & Share

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

Our religious heritage compels and guides us in creating a safe environment where people can come to understand and respond to the challenges facing them as sexual beings.

Here are some resources geared toward teens for health sexuality education and anti-violence awareness and training.”

Our Whole Lives – Resources for Grades 7-9
Check out the second edition of the UCC/UUA sexuality education program Our Whole Lives geared toward youth in grades 7 to 9. The second edition introduces new content, activities, perspectives, language, and resources that will help today’s young teens make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior by providing accurate, age-appropriate information. New topics in the second edition include

  • Bullying and bystander responsibilities;
  • Sexuality, social media, and the Internet;
  • Body image; consent education; and communicating with a sexual partner.

Reflections
Amy Johnson, our UCC Our Whole Lives coordinator, has written several helpful articles on teen dating violience:

Resources from Partners

  • Break the Cycle has some excellent resources for empowering youth to end DV. Their mission is to inspire and support young people to build healthy relationships and create a culture without abuse.
  • Love Is Respect – Teens can text “LOVEIS” to 22522 or call 1-866-331-9474 to chat with a trained peer advocate and get more info.

Why does the United Church of Christ Work on sexual and gender-based violence?

We are people of the New Covenant: Jesus’ teachings call us to oppose violence and abuse at all levels of our life. His attitude toward women and children was one of compassion and caring, and his outrage at the abuse he saw in the Temple surely parallels our outrage at violence against the most sacred of temples, the human person.

We are called by our Baptism to respond to that abuse, for by Baptism, we are One in the body of Christ. When any member of that body is abused or violated, the whole of Christ’s body is injured. As members of that body, we are called to seek justice, but not revenge, to righteous anger, but not blind rage. We are called to works of compassion, justice, and mercy; we are called to pastoral and prophetic ministries in response to victims of violence. We are called as a Church to be a sanctuary for those who are abused.

Jesus foreshadowed this ministry in his story of the Good Samaritan, who cared for one victimized by the violence of his society. Among us today the victims of violence and abuse lie by the side of the road: beaten, humiliated, bruised, and exploited. Too often the Church, like the Priest and the Levite of the Gospel story, has passed by on the other side. We are called to be the Samaritan-to support, shelter, love, and heal those who are victims of violence. (The Pronouncement On Violence In Relation To Women, General Synod 14)

General Synod Statements on sexual and gender-based violence: