Adding a Unique Voice to the Public Arena, the Newly-Formed Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition Gathers on Capitol Hill

Washington, DC - Religious leaders are often the first point of contact for domestic violence victims seeking a safe and secure place to disclose their abuse. Recognizing religious communities’ integral role in supporting, counseling and advocating for victims of abuse, Jewish Women International (JWI) has launched a national Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition to amplify the faith community’s voice in national policy and legislative initiatives. The group is comprised of more than twenty national religious and community based organizations, collectively representing millions of Americans. 

The coalition held its inaugural briefing on February 13th on Capitol Hill, attended by over 100 participants, and was entitled “Policy & Persuasion: How Faith-Based Communities Can Work Together to Advance Domestic Violence Laws.” The briefing featured remarks by keynote speaker Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), both former prosecutors in their home states and outspoken advocates for domestic violence victims, as well as several other speakers from across the religious spectrum.

Senator Klobachar highlighted the cuts in funding in the FY09 budget proposed by President Bush earlier this month.  She called the proposed budget “especially punishing,” to domestic violence programs. Yet, she emphasized, we must “look at this as much as possible as a non-partisan issue,” noting the coalition has friends on both sides of the aisle.  She encouraged coalition members to make sure that victims talk to policy makers and said that the coalition is uniquely able to speak about “the power of faith” in individuals’ lives. “The faith community has a powerful moral voice on behalf of victims, survivors and their families at the policy level.”

Congressman Poe said that, “during my years a prosecutor and judge, I met thousands of individuals who lived in quiet despair and fear because of what had happened to them and their families, but slowly more and more victims are willing to come out of the shadows and tell their stories.  I refer to the first person a victim talks to as the ‘outcry witness.’ This person is often someone in the religious community, a person of similar faith who can provide support and comfort.”

The only member of Congress with a victim’s rights coordinator on his staff, Representative Poe encouraged coalition members to reach out to his office to provide critical connections. Congressman Poe highlighted his commitment to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which provides funds for the immediate assistance of victims of crime.  “Please support my upcoming amendment to prevent the money paid into this fund by criminal offenders, not by taxpayers, to be used for any other purposes in the federal budget,” he added.

Other speakers at the February 13th briefing included: Linda Bales, program director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project of the United Methodist Church; Reverend Maxine Lloyd Ball, domestic violence survivor, author, and religious leader; Imam Mohamed Hag Magid, vice president of the Islamic Society of North America; Loribeth Weinstein, executive director of Jewish Women International; and Elaine Witman, director of partnership and program development at the Sidran Institute.

The speakers acknowledged the impact of domestic violence in their communities and the importance of creating an openness that helps victims to turn to their religious leaders for support.  “We must work together to lift domestic violence from a quiet whisper in our faith communities to a national voice imbued with the spirit, confidence, and purpose to call for national legislation and appropriate funding that helps domestic violence victims and their children in real, life-changing ways,” said Lori Weinstein, JWI Executive Director.

“When we think about the role of faith groups, I always reflect on the startling statistic that one in three women is experiencing some level of abuse in their lives,” said Linda Bales. “That surely means that we have women sitting in our churches, synagogues and mosques who are suffering at the hands of another. That surely means we have perpetrators sitting in the pews of our churches, synagogues and mosques, and we must be in ministry with both.  If we, as people of faith, do not advocate for justice, we are complicit in the perpetuation of this crisis.”

Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition

The Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition, convened by Jewish Women International in the summer of 2007, has members from over 20 national faith organizations, representing millions of congregants from churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques from across the United States. The Coalition shares a commitment to effect positive change and to advocate, with a collective voice, for national legislation and policies that protect all people from domestic violence, with particular concern for women and children.

Jewish Women International

JWI’s education, advocacy and philanthropy help women and girls worldwide celebrate their strength and achieve independence – so every home and relationship can be a safe and healthy place to thrive. To learn more about JWI programs creating safe homes, healthy relationships and strong women in communities worldwide, call 800.343.2823 or visit http://www.jwi.org.