Books on Faith and Domestic Violence

The role of faith in domestic violence can be complicated. Religious faith can offer enormous strength and guidance in coping with the very special issues of violence within the family. Sometimes abusers use the tenets of faith to jsutify their actions. Below are some books and videos that explore these issues from a number of religious perspectives.

Christian Resources
Fortune, Marie M. Keeping the Faith: Questions and Answers for the Abused Woman. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987.
With a combination of empathy, psychological and theological insight, and solid grounding in Scripture, Fortune provides straightforward answers to the questioning of battered women on how their Christian faith addresses family violence

Gargiulo, M. Wings Like a Dove: Healing for the Abused Christian Woman. Video: 34 min. Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 1997.

Through the voice of family violence survivors, clergy, and helping professionals this video offers hope and healing for abused women and information for religious and community groups. There is a discussion of theological issues that are often troubling and confusing for Christian women with abusive partners.

Scott, Catherine L., Breaking the Cycle of Abuse: A Biblical Approach to Recognizing & Responding to Domestic Violence. Elgin, IL: David C. Cook Publishing Co., 1988.

The author offers Christian battered women practical help and Biblical advice.

Dangerous Marriage: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence
Linda McDill, S. Rutherford McDill, Copyright–August 1998

This book is a spiritually based uplifting book for victims of domestic violence. It is a Christian, non-denominational book. It shows “Christlike” love to the victim of abuse to help her in her healing. Although the book does not encourage victims to stay in, or return to an abusive situation, it depicts realistic approaches to improve the situation.

Jewish Resources

Shalom Bayit: A Jewish Response to Child Abuse and Domestic Violence” by Ian Russ, Sally Weber and Ellen Ledley , The Shalom Bayit Committee, 6851 Lennox Avenue, Panorama City,
CA 91405, 1993

Gargiulo, M. To Save a Life: Ending Domestic Violence in Jewish Families. Video: 35 min. Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 1997.

This video provides guidance to Jewish women who have an abusive partner, and religious leaders, shelter staff, and other helpers who work with survivors of domestic violence. The program addresses the religious issues, such as Hillul Ha-Shem, Shalom bayit, and Teshuvah, that may be troubling women and preventing them from seeking help.

The non-profit Jewish Women International maintains a bibliography of resources <www.jewishwomen.org/direcon sexual and domestic violence in the Jewish community.

Muslim Resources

Alkhateeb, Sharifa, Ending Domestic Violence in Muslim Families.

Interfaith Resources

Love Shouldn’t Hurt: A Call for Action Against Domestic Violence. Video: 27 min. / Lindblade & Co. 1993.

An ecumenical presentation which addresses: why men batter; why women stay in abusive situations, what is abusive behavior; perspectives of women of color and rural women; wrongful use of scripture to justify abuse; and what we can do to help. This video is available in both English and Spanish.

Resources for Religious Leaders

Broken Vows: Religious Perspectives on Domestic Violence. Video: 37 min. / Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 1994.

Two-part documentary about religious perspectives on domestic violence. Presents the stories of six battered women - Jewish and Christian – and how their congregations responded to their situations. Shows how religious teachings have been misused in ways that perpetuate abuse and gives positive suggestions about how a church or synagogue can respond to abuse and work to end domestic violence.

Basbam, B., ed., Striking Terror No More: The Church Responds to Domestic Violence. Louisville, KY: Bridge Resources, 1997.

Written to help the church find creative and faithful ways to address domestic violence to those in the pew. The book is composed of three parts:

1. Essays on DV written by spiritual leaders (including Marie Fortune);
2. Workshop sessions plans for five topics, including Elder Abuse as well as Acquaintance Rape;
3. Worship resources, such as hymns, sermon themes with accompanying biblical texts, and liturgy.

Fortune, Marie M. Violence in the Family: A Workshop Curriculum for Clergy and Other Helpers. Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 1991.

The curriculum describes some of the activities involved in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating workshops on violence in families for religious and secular professionals and paraprofessionals. Sample outlines and detailed formats are included, along with in-depth articles, to be used as background material.

Family Violence and Religion: An Interfaith Resource Guide When Praying Isn’t Enough. Compiled by the Staff of Volcano Press. Volcano, CA: Volcano Press, 1995.

This book contains articles and excerpts designed to assist clergy and church workers of all faiths in counseling abused women and abusive men, in understanding the myths and facts about domestic violence, and in providing sermon development ideas.

 Gross, Waymon G. Improving Religious Organizations Effectiveness with Battered Women / Advice from Victim Advocates. A thesis submitted to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., 1994.

Ninety-one advocates from battered women’s shelters in Virginia identify a number of ways that religious organizations can better meet the needs of battered women.

Jewish Women International. Resource Guide for Rabbis on Domestic Violence. Washington D.C.: Jewish Women International, 1996.
Each of the five sections outline a different strategy for rabbis to help battered women, whether speaking from the pulpit, working in the community, or counseling in the study. An excellent resource for basic family violence education and pertinent texts in the bible. Clergy from other faiths would find this helpful as well.

ResourceWomen. 1997 – 1998 Religious Funding Resource Guide. Washington, D.C.: Resource Women, 1997.

This resource guide enables social justice agencies, non-profits and service organizations working for change, which are not denominationally or religiously based to identify sources of support from religious organizations. Provides a list of funding sources as well as “how to” information for applying for the funds. (Marla – there is a more recent edition of this which we do not have at this time.

Gardsbane, Diane, ed.  Embracing Justice:  A Resource Guide for Rabbis on Domestic Abuse, 225 pages, soft cover.

This resource guide is designed to educate and assist clergy and community professionals in their work to support abused women. Jewish Women International, 2002

Jewish Women International, Healing and Wholeness:  A Resource Guide on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, 179 pages, soft cover. Jewish Women International, 2002

This resource guide is designed to help community workers broach the topic of domestic abuse from a uniquely Jewish perspective.

Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute, The Preachers:  Working to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, video, Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute, 2002. 

“The Preachers” video features sermons by clergy who have survived partner violence.  It is currently used as a teaching tool by churches and domestic violence agencies, and may also be used by victims of domestic violence.

The Jewish Advisory Committee of the Center for Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, Rabbi Cindy Enger, Director.  2400 45^th St., #10, Seattle, WA 98103, cenger@cpsdv.org.  See www.cpsdv.org for printed and video training materials.

Lev, Rachel, ed.  Shine the Light: Sexual Abuse and Healing in the Jewish Community, Northeastern University Press, Fall 2002

Schwab, Charlotte, Sex Lies and Rabbis: Breaking a Sacred Trust. 1^st Books (1stbooks.com), 2002