Losing and finding faith following violence and victimization can often be a significant process for victims. Often, a deeply felt faith crisis offers an opportunity to experience spiritual growth and, ultimately, a strengthening of faith. When victims of violence begin to raise questions related to their faith and spirituality, the faith community has a unique opportunity to provide significant spiritual care.
Opportunities for Faith Communities
Develop a library of scripture and other resources and
publications relating to trauma, victimization, anger,
healing, peace and reconciliation.
Identify locations in your house of worship that can be a
comfortable meeting place or a “safe space” that can
provide a place of refuge and safety.
Provide a safe place for victims, families and friends to
meet privately, especially if your building is located near a
courthouse. Provide support and food for while they await
the outcome of court proceedings.
Identify victims in the faith community by making them
feel safe to confide in the minister, rabbi, faith
community leader, or others in the faith community.
Organize candlelight services or memorial services for the
families of homicide victims. Have a special
commemorative service of prayer related to hope, peace,
transformation and healing.
Work with the Interfaith Coalition Against Violence to
plan a training seminar.
Host victim support group meetings in partnership with
local victim assistance organizations.
Learn about the trauma experienced by family members
of victims of various forms of violence.
Offer special educational programs and workshops on
topics such as The Loss of Inner Peace, Hope, Healing,
Getting Through the Holidays, Impact of Violence, Child
Abuse, Domestic Violence, Spiritual Questioning Related
to Crises, etc.
Invite community experts and local victim assistance staff
to present topics and address specific individual concerns
related to victimization and violence.
Encourage your faith community’s leadership to prepare
and deliver sermons, psalms and messages about evil,
suffering, hope and restoration.
Always report any suspected cases of child abuse and
develop policies to ensure children's protection. Many
individuals (teachers, counselors, clergy, etc.) are
mandated by law to report child abuse. Know if you are
among those individuals, and know the penalty for failure
to report child maltreatment.
If you are clergy, be informed about your state law
Abuse Hotline number or place it next to every telephone
in your facility.
In Arkansas, call 1-800-482-5964
OR CALL THE
1-800-4-A-CHILD®
(1-800-422-4453)
TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD
Develop policies and guidelines for selection of any
individual who works with children to protect children
and your faith community from potential harm and
criminal liabilities.
Develop partnerships with local victim assistance
programs (domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers,
prosecutor and law enforcement-based programs and
others that serve crime victims.)
Educate your faith community about possible feelings,
reactions and needs of crime victims and their families.
Often, victims feel injured the second time by their faith
communities because they are neglected or ignored.
Remember that your presence is the most powerful gift you can give to a person in pain.
