Introduction

Manual Overview

BOOK I: Faith Community Curriculum for Clergy and Lay Leaders
- Curriculum Outline
- Instructions
- Supplies Checklist
- Room Checklist
- Educator Qualities
- Key Issues and Points
- Course Objectives
- Part 1-A: Introductions
  and Opening Comments
- Part 1-B: Elements and Dynamics
  of Domestic Abuse
Part 1-C: Barriers
- Part 1-D: “Broken Vows” Video
- Part 2-A: Awareness Raising
- Part 2-B: What to Say and Do
- Part 2-C: What Congregations
  Can Do
- Part 3: Closure
- Handouts list

BOOK II: Family Violence: Helping Survivors and Abusers
A Manual for Faith Communities

BOOK III: Pastor’s Packet: Family Violence Awareness Materials for Pastors

BOOK IV: Curriculum for Laity

Appendix

Part 1-C: Barriers

Desired Time:

• 10 - 20 minutes

Purpose:

• To help participants begin thinking about what issues they should address in their faith communities and how they can go about it
• To help participants begin to address barriers on a personal leve

Strategy:

• Flip chart or OH brainstorm responses, follow with discussion (See “Helping Individuals in Domestic Violence Situations – Barriers to Faith Communities,” (pdf 100KB)
  This is an interactive discussion where participants’ individual concerns are raised and discussed. This portion helps participants move past reluctance and discomfort to recognition of their role.

Tips:
This component can be shortened if time is an issue. Key points to emphasize in this exercise:

• You can’t fix the problem, but you can offer support and resources.
• Emphasize a supportive, nonjudgmental, accepting, affirming, attitude.
• Emphasize limitations of their role and necessity to refer to experts (unless they have domestic violence advocacy in their area of expertise) .

Content

Brainstorming
State: “Just for a moment, let’s brainstorm some major issues that can interfere with faith communities providing help to abuse survivors or abusers.”

Write responses on flip-chart or overhead.

Ask: “Now, think about barriers on a personal level. What prevents you from
addressing this issue?”

Discuss identified barriers: (“Christian Myths about Sexual & Domestic Abuse,” “Family Violence: Myths & Misconceptions,” (pdf 480KB) and “Helping Individuals in Domestic Violence Situations – Barriers to Faith Communities,” (pdf 100KB).

Review participant handouts and be prepared to discuss them. When you are not sure, ask participants what they think.

Closure “We all have barriers, but once we acknowledge them, we can begin to address them.”