Introduction

Manual Overview

BOOK I: Faith Community Curriculum for Clergy and Lay Leaders

BOOK II: Family Violence: Helping Survivors and Abusers – A Manual for Faith Communities
Purpose
Definitions
Survivors:
   - Characteristics
   - Indicators of Abuse
   - Actions to Consider
   - Safety Concerns
   - Crisis Counseling and
      Spiritual Support
   - Asking a question:
      Is your partner hurting you?
Abusers (batterers):
   - Understanding Abusers
   - Interventions
   - Treatment
   - Safety Issues
   - Use of Scripture
Marriage and Relationship:
Understanding Scripture Intent
Marriage Preparation:
   - Key Elements
   - Early Warning Signs
   - I Corinthians 13
Supportive background materials:
   - ABC's of Men Who Batter
   - Abuser Quotes
   - Myths About Abusers
   - Self-Assessment Tool
   - Alexandra House Safety Plan
   - Checklist - What to take
     when you leave
Minnesota Metro
Community Resources
Sources and Acknowledgments

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

BOOK IV: Curriculum for Laity

Appendix

Definitions

Following are definitions of terms as they are used in this manual: (Excerpted and adapted from Domestic Violence Definitions by Jayne Kane, Encourage to Hope Ministries. Reprinted with permission).

Advocate - one who pleads the cause of another, one who argues for, defends, maintains or recommends a cause or proposal

Battered person - a victim of repeated physical, sexual and emotional abuse by an individual sharing a past or present intimate relationship including partners, children, siblings and elders. One who is abused.

Battering - a systematic pattern of violent, controlling, coercive behaviors intended to punish, abuse and ultimately control the thoughts, beliefs and actions of the victim. Abuse.

Domestic violence - intimate partner physical, sexual or emotional abuse amily violence - physical, sexual, emotional, financial abuse and/or neglect occurring within the context of home and/or intimate personal relationships

Survivor - a victim of domestic or family violence. The term "survivor" is felt to be more empowering and affirming than "victim."

Violence - (in an intimate relationship) a systematic pattern of violent, controlling, coercive behaviors intended to punish, abuse and ultimately control the thoughts, beliefs and actions of the victim. It is characterized by an imbalance of power. It may consist of repeated, severe beatings or more subtle forms of abuse including threats and control. It usually results in lack of self-esteem on the part of the victim and a belief that the victim is the cause of the violence.

Violence is words and actions that hurt people.