1. Interfaith Action to Combat
Domestic Violence
My Interfaith Summer Internship Program Experience
Miriam L. Pearsall, Intern in the summer of 2013
2. Pearsall 1
Interfaith Action to Combat Domestic Violence
Introduction
Although the intended audience of this report is the Interfaith Center of New York
(ICNY), the purpose of this report is to have all audiences consider how addressing social issues
can ironically act as one of the greatest driving forces of unity. In terms of interfaith work, it is
useful for interfaith leaders to consider utilizing a seemingly “secular” social issue to further
their agendas of conducting peaceful, interfaith collaboration.
This past summer, I came to better understand different faiths and cultures as well as the
challenges that interfaith leaders face while trying to orchestrate events and other initiatives. As
an interfaith leader-in-training, I focused on understanding the intersection of domestic violence
and religion rather than personally creating and implementing a program to address domestic
violence in communities of faith. Despite my work being largely for the benefit of ICNY and its
domestic violence program, my experiences and observations this past summer have been more
beneficial to me than I could have ever foreseen.
For this reason, it is my hope that this report will not only serve as a useful tool for my
internship site but also as a small reminder of the importance that interfaith work has in our
lives. When communities of faith harmoniously act together, they come to an understanding of
each other as equal members of humanity. They see themselves as people of one shared world
rather than inhabitants of faith-based islands. This holistic perspective which drives interfaith
action is a perspective which can allow us to more effectively handle different social issues. In
the case of combatting domestic violence, a panoramic approach that utilizes and understands
different communities of faith will create healthier and happier communities for us all.
3. Pearsall 2
Part I: Interfaith Leadership Training
At the beginning of my journey this past summer, I participated in a week-long, intensive
field-based seminar that the creators of the Interfaith Summer Internship Program (ISIP)
arranged for their interns. The purpose of this seminar was to act as an introduction to the major
religious communities of New York City (i.e., Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and
Judaism). Each day of the seminar we explored one of the major religions by meeting with
people of a particular faith either in their neighborhoods or in their places of worship. By
participating in the seminar, I learned not only about different faiths but also about the important
roles that the different places of worship serve in their communities.
Never before that week had I been inside the churches, temples, and mosques of those
with faiths very different from my own. Therefore, I was a bit intimidated and uncomfortable at
the beginning of each new visit. However, towards the end of each day, I felt more comfortable
as I came to see the similarities that I shared with the people that I met rather than focusing on
our differences.
Throughout the course of my internship experience, I noticed that my comfort level with
those of other faiths and the open practicing of their faiths grew exponentially. I even began to
question whether I practiced the “right” religion because of the people that I encountered. Their
genuinely kind and honest natures were the greatest forms of proselytization.
From those that I met in the field, I learned that the greatest tool any interfaith leader
could have is his or her personality. It is the willingness to not only listen but also to find points
of connection and to utilize them effectively. In order to be effective, interfaith leaders must have
a sincere concern and interest in the lives of those they want to unite. As I discovered on
numerous occasions, respect of others is key in maintaining the sincerity that soon builds trust.
4. Pearsall 3
Part II: Religion & Domestic Violence
Along with an increased appreciation for interfaith work, my internship at the Interfaith
Center of New York also greatly increased my interest in domestic violence work. Since my
work at ICNY revolved around its domestic violence programs, I first focused on learning as
much as possible about domestic violence and its particular nuances within religious
communities. I read many materials from the FaithTrust Institute (an organization that focuses on
ending domestic violence in communities of faith) as well as from ICNY’s domestic violence
prevention resource, CONNECT. In the Appendix of this report, I have included some domestic
violence materials that I found particularly useful for communities of faith.
Along with reading and researching about domestic violence, I was also fortunate enough
to be able to attend CONNECT’s workshop about teen dating violence. Although this workshop
focused on teens, it still explained and worked to prevent what is under the large umbrella of
domestic violence.
On more than one occasion while I was researching about domestic violence, different
resources stressed the important role that religion plays in domestic violence cases.
Unfortunately, despite the solace that religion provides in the lives of believers, perpetrators of
domestic violence often use religion as a tool to maintain control over their partners. This form
of abuse is particularly detrimental because it manipulates something that is meant to free one’s
soul into something that binds it. Therefore, romantic partners who are abused stay in
relationships because they are brainwashed to believe that they deserve the suffering which they
are enduring. Clearly, this mindset prevents many domestic violence victims from seeking help.
Of course, there are many reasons why abused men and women stay in relationships. However, I
5. Pearsall 4
would argue that religious beliefs and the cultural values, which are intimately related with
religion, are the most common reasons that abused victims stay in abusive relationships.
Considering the major impact that religion has in the lives of so many domestic violence
victims, it is crucial that religious leaders make a public stand for healthy, loving relationships.
Leaders in faith communities must educate themselves on domestic violence and determine
strategic ways to help end intimate partner violence in their communities. No matter how many
times non-profit agencies inform victims about public avenues to safety, the assurance that
victims will ultimately seek is from someone who they look to for daily guidance. They need
someone who can clearly confirm that violence between partners should not be tolerated. Abused
people would benefit from someone who helps remove the stigma of being a victim of domestic
violence. Religious leaders have this unique influence over their congregants. Therefore, it is
their moral obligation to use their influence to promote nonviolent lifestyles.
Despite the necessity of creating faith-based domestic violence programs, faith leaders
may feel overwhelmed by the notion of another issue to address in their congregations.
Fortunately, working to stop domestic violence fits well into the general promotion of nonviolent
living in communities of faith. Therefore, publicly denouncing violence also combats the
physical aspect of domestic violence. In order to address the other forms of domestic violence
(psychological, emotional, spiritual, etc.), religious leaders should publicly promote harmonious
families that maintain good communication.
Along with making public yet strategic statements (i.e., avoiding stigmatizing labels),
religious leaders can also simply ensure that brochures and other informative materials are
placed in restrooms and lobbies. All it takes is a little creativity and determination to spread the
word about an important cause. Throughout my internship, I shared some useful measures
6. Pearsall 5
against domestic violence that religious leaders can take as well as copies of a brochure about
safety measures that victims of domestic violence should make. For those who are interested, I
have included these materials in the Appendix of this report.
Part III: Findings from My Field Work
After spending much of my summer researching domestic violence and its intersection in
religious communities, I began to do follow-up interviews for the Interfaith Center of New
York’s (ICNY) domestic violence program. These interviews involved reaching out to the 45
participants of the interfaith domestic violence training program that ICNY held with
CONNECT (a domestic violence prevention agency). Out of the 45 participants in the training,
my colleague and I were only able to interview 25 of them. In the next few pages, the questions
that we asked the interviewees are typed in italics. The statistics for the answers that we received
are below each question. Some special notes about the graphs are that I referred to the interviews
that were not finished as “incomplete” and that I referred to interviewees who felt that a question
was not applicable to them for whatever reason as incomplete. Also, for the sake of simplicity, I
created keys to summarize the interviewees’ responses. Hopefully this method will make the
consensuses in thought clearer to readers of this report.
Background
6 out of the 25 interviewees voluntarily admitted to being survivors of domestic violence.
Male
44%
Female
56%
Gender of Participants
Male
40%Female
60%
Gender of Interviewees
8. Pearsall 7
Survey Questions
1) How did the workshop change your understanding of domestic violence?
Average: 3.56/5
Buddhists
8%
Christians
52%
Hindus
0%
Jews*
12%
Muslims
20%
Sikhs
8%
Religious Demographics of
Interviewees
*2 Orthodox Jews;
1 Unspecified Jew
16%
23%
8%15%
23%
15%
Christian Denominations of Interviewees
Baptist
Episcopal
Horeb Haitian
Interdenominational
Nondenominational
Roman Catholic
9. Pearsall 8
Key:
0- Didn't Change It At All
1-Had Prior Training in DV but found it helpful
2-Had Prior DV experience but saw it
differently
3-Had Prior DV Training but discovered a new
perspective
4-Discovered Several New Perspectives in DV
5-Completely New Definition of DV
2) Since the workshop, have you developed a ministry or program specifically addressing
domestic violence? If so, what does it look like, how does prevention play a role, and how
many people does it serve?
48%
48%
4%
Developed DV Ministry
Yes
No
N/A
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
1-10 people 10-20
people
20-30
people
30-40
people
40-50
people
50+ people
NumberofDVMinistries
Number of People Served
DV Ministries of Interviewees
10. Pearsall 9
3) Do you ever preach (or teach in your place of worship) about abuse or domestic
violence? If yes, about how many times?
4) Do you ever hold other workshops or sessions on abuse or domestic violence in your
place of worship? If yes, about how many?
56%24%
16%
4%
Preach/Teach about DV
Yes
No
N/A
Incomplete
Interview
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
1-2
times/year
2-4
times/year
4-6
times/year
6-8
times/year
8-10
times/year
More than
10
times/year
NumberofInterviewees
Frequency of Sermons/Lessons about DV
DV Sermons/Lessons from Interviewees
56%
36%
8%
Lead DV Workshops/Sessions
No
Yes
Incomplete
Interview
11. Pearsall 10
5) Are there any anecdotes you’d like to share from your experiences with domestic violence
before or after the workshop?
Response Number of Interviewees
Yes 18
No 3
I don’t know 1
Shortened Interview 3
6) How can we continue to support your personal development and your ministry around
domestic violence?
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1-2
times/year
2-4
times/year
4-6
times/year
6-8
times/year
8-10
times/year
More than 10
times/year
NumberofIntervieewes
Frequency of DV Workshops/Sessions
DV Workshops/Sessions Held by Interviewees
10%
10%
16%
6%
26%
19%
13%
How ICNY/CONNECT Can Support Interviewees
Cannot support
Unsure
DV Awareness Materials
Funding
Workshops
Speakers/Seminars
Regular Contact by Mail/E-
mail
12. Pearsall 11
7) On a scale of 1-10, (1 being least useful and 10 being most useful) how useful was the
domestic violence workshop?
Average: 8.54/10
8) In what areas did the workshop fail to meet, meet, or surpass your expectations?
Failed:
Liberal Views-1
Condemnation of Abuser-2
No Next Steps-4
Lack of Foreign Languages-2
Not Enough Legal Perspective-1
Didn't Discuss the Misinterpretations of Holy Books-
1
Difficulty Staying in Touch with CONNECT after the
workshop-1
Conversation wasn't always constructive-1
Feeling "invisible" to the other participants-1
Time of day of the workshop-1
Met:
Complexity of Subject-1
Inclusiveness of Facilitators-1
Motivation-1
I Don't Remember (Too long ago)-1
Surpassed:
How to Address DV with People of Faith-1
How to Recognize DV occurences-2
Equal number of Men and Women Participants-1
How to listen to victims-1
Resources in the workshop-1
Openness/Honesty of Participants-1
Widespread impact of DV-1
Recognizing Abuse towards Men-1
Thoroughness of Workshop-2
13. Pearsall 12
9) How did the workshop change your ministry regarding domestic violence?
10) What are some challenges you face in developing a ministry around domestic violence, or
in applying what you learned at the workshop?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Did Not Change
Approach to Outreach
Created a DV Ministry/Program
Shortened Interview
Not Applicable
No Longer Trivializing Observed Acts of DV
Increase in Community Outreach
More 1-on-1 Sharing of Knowledge
Acknowlegment of Different Points of View
Number of Responses
Changes in DV Ministries Since Workshop
0 1 2 3 4
Reluctance of Victims to Reach Out
Repeated Acts of Abuse
Maintaining the Safety of the Victim
Denial of Witnesses about DV
Clash of Cultures
Stigma of the DV label
Lack of Funding
None/Does Not Know
Separate Lives of Men and Women
Shortened Interview
Not Applicable
Number of Responses
Challenges that Religious Leaders Face in DV work
14. Pearsall 13
11) Are there any anecdotes you’d like to share about moments of personal enlightenment or
transformation during the workshop?
Anecdotes Number
of Similar
Responses
Shortened Interview 2
Not Applicable 1
No 6
No longer remembers 1
Discovered New Emotions because of DV in one’s life 1
Subtle/Simple Acts of Awareness can end DV 2
Extent of DV 1
Forgiveness is key 1
Helplessness of many victims 1
DV is about Control 2
Importance of Religious Leaders in DV work 1
Realization of personal, abusive acts in the past 1
There are actually strong, concerned people in the world 2
Importance of trainings about DV 1
Victims must plan before leaving abuser (leaving without a plan
is dangerous)
1
Realization that DV occurred in one's life 1
Conclusion
Based on my findings from my interviews this summer, there are many changes that
ICNY and CONNECT should make when they continue their domestic violence prevention
efforts in faith communities. The basic and most crucial change that must be made is providing
clear next steps for religious leaders to make after participating in domestic violence training.
Many of the interviewees that I spoke with also felt that some form of follow-up domestic
violence work would be beneficial for them. This could include follow-up workshops or a
regular newsletter to participants that encourages them in their fights to help end domestic
violence.
15. Pearsall 14
Since ICNY is a non-profit agency, I have provided potential funding opportunities for
future interfaith, domestic violence awareness events in the Appendix of this report. I hope that
the resources that I have provided are beneficial to my internship site and the effectiveness of its
future domestic violence programs.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Interfaith Center of New York, CONNECT, and
their respective staffs for creating wonderful learning environments for me. I would like to thank
Anushavan and Annie Rawlings for acting as my supervisors during my internship. I am also
thankful for Kayla Reiman, my wonderful co-interviewer, Matthew Weiner, David Brown, and
Evan Schneider who orchestrated the program, and my fellow interns for their support and
encouragement. I would also like to thank Timur Yuskaev for leading the week-long, intensive
seminar, Ann Familiaran for ensuring that I received my stipend in a timely fashion, and Stanley
Katz for agreeing to be my mentor on this project. Lastly and most importantly, I give thanks to
all of those who participated in the ICNY/CONNECT domestic violence trainings. To both those
that I interviewed and those that I was not able to reach, I am extremely grateful for your sincere
efforts to better yourself and to improve the world around you. Thank you.
19. Pearsall 18
Appendix B
WHAT RELIGIOUS LEADERS CAN DO
1. Display family-violence brochures in the entrance of all churches and all women’s restrooms.
2. Educate the congregation through monthly newsletters and weekly announcements in church
bulletins and in marriage-preparation classes.
3. Speak out against domestic violence from the pulpit. People’s attitudes and beliefs would be
profoundly and powerfully impacted by their faith leaders.
4. Lead by example. All clergy should be serving on the board of directors of their local
domestic violence agencies or receiving training to become acquainted with community
resources.
5. Offer space for meetings or weekly domestic violence support groups and serve as supervised
visitation sites when parents need to visit safely with their children.
6. Do the theological and scriptural homework necessary to understand and respond better to
family violence, and receive training from domestic violence victim service professionals.
7. Intervene whenever violence in a relationship is suspected. Speak to each member of the
couple separately, and help the victim plan for safety. Couples counseling is unsafe for victims
and can result in death from an abuser’s retaliation for the victim’s disclosure to any outsider.
FAITH-BASED RESOURCES FOR VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS
Jewish Women International
website: www.jewishwomen.org
Christians Addressing Family Abuse (CAFA)
541-686-6000
20. Pearsall 19
The Peaceful Families Project (Project Director is Sharifa Alkhateeb)
e-mail: nacmw@aol.com
Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence (CSPDV)
website: www.cpsdv.org
The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services
e-mail: SBeardPARC@aol.com
Manavi
website: www.manavi.org
Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute
(Executive Director is Rev. Aubra Love)
e-mail: BCDVorg@aol.om
Neighbors Who Care
800-NWC-7770
Appendix C
Funding Opportunities from the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women
(www.vawnet.org) for the Interfaith Center of New York
1. Title: Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants
Category: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Admin Agency: Georgia-Pacific Foundation
Program: The Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports a wide range of nonprofit
organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific
21. Pearsall 20
operates, and where company employees live and work. (Information on Georgia-Pacific
facilities and locations is available on the company’s website.) The Foundation has
identified the following key investment areas: education, including job readiness and
literacy; community enrichment, including affordable housing, cultural, and safety
programs; environment, including resource conservation and clean air/clean water; and
entrepreneurship, especially among youth, women, and minorities.
Award: Varies
Eligibility: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools, and tax-exempt
public service agencies (e.g. Police/Fire Departments) in the U.S. are eligible to apply.
Letter of Intent Deadline:
Application Deadline: 10/31/2013
Application Guidelines / Submissions: See the website for detailed information.
Website: Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants
2. Title: Grassroots Action Grants
Category: SOCIAL CHANGE
Admin Agency: North Star Fund
Program: Grassroots Action Grants help new, emerging, and small groups engaged in
community organizing build leadership and grassroots activism in New York City's
needy communities.
Award: $5,000 or $10,000 each
Eligibility: Organizations with annual budgets under $350,000 engaged in community
organizing are eligible
22. Pearsall 21
Letter of Intent Deadline:
Application Deadline: 9/13/2013
Application Guidelines / Submissions: See the website for detailed information.
Website: Grassroots Action Grants
3. Title: Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program-GOSC
Category: SOCIAL CHANGE
Admin Agency: Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
Program: The Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program supports non-profit
grassroots, constituent-led organizations across the country that are using direct action,
grassroots community-organizing strategies to accomplish their goals. We consider
proposals that are aligned with the Foundation’s broad interests in social justice,
environmental justice and sustainable food systems. The GOSC Grant Program has three
grant cycles per year: Two for new applicants and one for renewal applicants that have
been funded in within the past two years. If an application is selected for further
consideration, the organization will be approved to submit a full proposal online. New
proposals are reviewed in the 1st and 3rd Quarters. Renewal proposals are reviewed in
the 2nd Quarter.
Award: Amounts up to $300,000 for individual projects; up to $500,000 for consortia
projects
Eligibility: Organizations with 501(c)(3) status, or who have a fiscal agent with this
status are eligible to apply; organizational budget must be under $500,000;
Letter of Intent Deadline: 9/13/2013; 11/15/2013
23. Pearsall 22
Application Deadline: 0000/00/00
Application Guidelines / Submissions: Visit the website for complete application
guidelines/submission. Letter of Intent (LOI) New Applicants: 9/13/2013; Letter of Intent
(LOI) Renewal: 11/15/2013
Website: Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program-GOSC
4. Title: Grants for Injury Control Research Centers
Category: VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Admin Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for
Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
Program: The Injury Control Research Centers (ICRCs) will conduct high quality
research and help translate scientific discoveries into practice for the prevention and
control of fatal and nonfatal injuries, violence, and related disabilities that support
NCIPC’s priorities and mission. The ICRCs are expected to address important and
relevant injury and/or violence prevention topic areas and to be a national leader in the
area of injury and/or violence prevention. The Centers are to collaborate with
stakeholders and community partners including state and local health agencies and
nonprofit, community and non-governmental organizations in the development and
delivery of relevant interventions to improve the prevention and control of injuries and/or
violence. Two categories of ICRCs will be funded: comprehensive centers and
development centers. The comprehensive center awards are similar in scope to the
currently funded ICRCs (Project period of 5 years, budgets of $900,000 per year and an
organizational structure consisting of an administrative core, outreach core, training and
24. Pearsall 23
education core, and multiple research projects). The developmental center awards are
smaller in scope and are designed to build capacity in core activities and infrastructure
with a smaller portion of the award devoted to research activities.
Award: $3,600,000 is available in FY 2014 to fund up to five applications: three (3)
comprehensive center awards and two (2) developmental center awards; maximum award
amount per year: $900,000 for each of the three comprehensive centers and $450,000 for
each of the two developmental centers
Eligibility: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit institutions,
governments
Letter of Intent Deadline: 9/6/2013
Application Deadline: 11/4/2013
Application Guidelines / Submissions: See the announcement for detailed information.
* 1. Click on the link below to access the Search Grants page of Grants.gov * 2. At the
Funding Opp# Search box, enter the number: RFA-CE-14-001 and click the SEARCH
button * 3. The results page appears; click on the blue-highlighted Funding Opportunity
Number to retrieve the: Synopsis Detail, Version History, Full Announcement, and
Application Package
Website: Grants for Injury Control Research Centers
