Introduction
Although we’re a non-religious organisation, the Here for Good Foundation recognises that the opportunities that faith-based community leaders have to provide support for those living with domestic and family violence is often vital for victim-survivors. Churches are usually used as a place of worship, and have historically provided a safe place for people in need of food and shelter. Faith-based community leaders are spiritual advisors and trusted confidants for members of their community.
Violence goes against the fundamental beliefs of most faiths and religions. Although some abusers may manipulate scripture to justify abuse, the tenets of acceptance and love are core to most faith communities.
Where Faith Leaders Can Fail
Emphasis on Forgiveness over Safety
Some faith leaders may approach incidents of family and domestic violence as acts of sin, or moments of weakness from the perpetrators. This does not encourage an understanding of the overall power dynamic that the perpetrator is trying to enforce onto the victim-survivor. In the 2018 report In Churches Too: Church responses to domestic abuse-a case study of Cumbria, researchers found that faith leaders could understand physical violence, but were not equipped to understand the complexities of emotional or financial abuse.
The victim-survivor may also feel pressured by their faith leader, community, or even interpretation of scripture, to forgive the perpetrator. Participants CM8 and FL2 in the 2022 report, Attitudes and beliefs about family and domestic violence in faith-based communities: An exploratory qualitative study, commented:
“So a woman particularly has been taught from fairly young age if something bad happens to you, you have to accept it, you’ve got to forgive—say for example if you’re married in the context of family violence, the abuser was your husband or other members of the family. And if you don’t it means that you’re not strong enough so instead of—they link that strength in terms of forgiveness. CM8 (Muslim)
Or blaming her or kind of saying “you know it takes two to tango” and so “yes, he’s done wrong things but so have you and you need to repent of those and you need to apologize to him or you need to maintain contact with him or be open to reconciliation with him. You should be willing to forgive him.” FL2 (Christian).
In religions that encourage endurance and patience, scripture can re-enforce the victim-survivor’s decision to stay in a relationships that harm them. While men in Christian religions have not been found to perpetrate FDV at higher rates than the general population, Christian women have a higher likelihood of accepting abuse and returning to FDV relationships; often using Christian symbolism or scripture to justify the abuse they’re enduring.
Denial
In the worst-case scenario for victim-survivors, some faith leaders may be unwilling to admit or accept that members of their congregation are abusive. From her 2024 report Understanding spiritual and religious abuse in the context of intimate partner violence, Dr Mandy Truong says “Research shows that some faith leaders may minimise and ignore abuse, instead focussing on relationship counselling, regular prayer and attending their place of worship rather than victim-survivor safety’. Outside of faith-based communities, secular policy-makers often fail to engage faith-based community leaders in discussions around FDV, seeing them as “part of the problem”.
How Faith Leaders Can Succeed
Providing Education and Challenging Harmful Beliefs
Faith leaders can influence cultural and spiritual interpretations by promoting messages of equality, respect, and non-violence. In Christian scripture, Genesis 1:27 states that both men and women were created in God’s image, and in Quran 49 13 . Faith leaders can play a powerful role in challenging harmful beliefs or misinterpretations of scripture that may excuse or hide abuse. This can be taught to their congregation as a broader lesson, or a private session to address the situation away from others.
Offering Safe and Trusted Support
Many victim-survivors turn to their faith leaders first when seeking help, as someone they already trust. Leaders who are trained to respond appropriately can create a safe, non-judgmental environment, connect individuals with professional services, and ensure that spiritual support does not replace safety planning.
Mobilising the Community for Prevention
Faith-based leaders can lead community efforts to raise awareness, break the silence around family and domestic violence, and foster a culture of accountability. Stigma around perpetrating and suffering FDV can keep victim-survivors feeling isolated and unable to reach out for help. Faith leaders’ voices can help reduce stigma, promote healthy relationships, and advocate for change within and beyond their congregations.
Support Available for Faith Based Community Leaders
- Christian organisation Common Grace offers resources for perpetrator intervention and victim-survivor support through their SAFER program.
- The Lutheran Church offers training and resources on Preventing Domestic Violence.
- The Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights works to achieve Equality without Exception, resisting versions of Islam used to justify any violations against women.
- Centacare Catholic Community Services offer support to victim-survivors, with a number of regional hubs
- The Buddhist Council of Victoria published a guide in 2021 on Supporting Buddhist Communities to Prevent and Respond to Family Violence Toolkit.