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

Safety concerns

• Seriously consider the potential for danger
• Verbalize concerns you have identified.
• Give a warning that, while survivors may believe the violence won't happen again, it almost always does, and it gets worse with time.
• Validate fearfulness on the survivor's part.
• Stress the importance and value of contacting an advocacy agency.
• Encourage the survivor to find a safe place to go (shelter or motel), possibly leaving town with the guidance of a domestic violence advocate.
• If the survivor is afraid, discuss that fear, provide and discuss a safety plan, and strongly encourage contact with local advocacy services. (See Alexandra House Safety Plan)

Safety planning
Strongly encourage the survivor to contact your local advocacy agency for assistance in safety planning. Family violence advocates can assess the situation and provide objective education and encouragement which may help the survivor seek safety. (See Alexandra House Safety Plan) If it is clear that the survivor will not be doing so, offer safety planning materials.