Organizations Against Gender-Based Violence in the Church

Organizations Against Gender-Based Violence in the Church 

by Rudy Mitchell, Senior Researcher

Do you feel called to help survivors of gender-based violence (domestic abuse, sexual assault, etc.)? See these recommended local and national organizations and see how you may be able to get involved.

Casa de Esperanza

This organization helps to develop effective responses to domestic violence and facilitates support systems in the lives of Latinas where they live.

Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse

This organization’s mission is to empower the community and its leadership by bringing awareness to the issue of domestic abuse so that through prayerful collaboration, education and intervention we end and prevent abusive behaviors.

Faith Trust Institute 

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. provides multifaith and religion-specific intervention and prevention training, consulting, and educational materials for national, state, and community faith-based and secular organizations in the following areas:

• Domestic and Sexual Violence

• Healthy Teen Relationships, Preventing Teen Dating Violence

• Child Abuse, Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence

• Healthy Boundaries for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers, Responding to Clergy Misconduct

• Trafficking of Persons

FOCUS Ministries - Faith-Based Domestic Violence Help for Women and Families

The two purposes of Focus Ministries are (1) To help women and families who find themselves in these difficult circumstances. The organization offers counseling by phone, email, or in person; FOCUS support groups; educational material, including a website with resources.

(2) To educate and train churches, organizations, support group leaders, and concerned friends and family members about the dynamics of domestic violence and abusive relationships.

Futures Without Violence 

“Futures Without Violence is a health and social justice nonprofit with a simple mission: to heal those among us who are traumatized by violence today – and to create healthy families and communities free of violence tomorrow.

From domestic violence and child abuse, to bullying and sexual assault, the organization’s groundbreaking programs, policy development, and public action campaigns are designed to prevent and end violence against women and children around the world.”

The website contains a large number of resources including audio webinars, blog articles, and materials which can be ordered as free downloads or free plus shipping (see “Resources”).

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is the voice of victims and survivors. We are the catalyst for changing society to have zero tolerance for domestic violence. We do this by affecting public policy, increasing understanding of the impact of domestic violence, and providing programs and education that drive that change.

National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

The National Domestic Violence Hotline connects individuals to help in their area by using a nationwide database that includes detailed information about domestic violence shelters, other emergency shelters, legal advocacy and assistance programs, and social service programs.

The RAVE Project

RAVE is an initiative that seeks to bring knowledge and social action together to assist families of faith impacted by abuse. This website includes online training sections, links to resources including videos.

Restored 

Restored is an international Christian Alliance that aims to transform relationships and end violence against women (VAW) by working through and with the church and Christians worldwide. The website offers many free resources including the following:

Aune, Kristin, and Rebecca Barnes. In Churches Too: Church Responses to Domestic Abuse: A Case Study of Cumbria. Cumbria, Eng.: University of Cumbria, University of Leicester, 2018.   The research report, In Churches Too, provides a helpful literature review and reference list, along with conclusions and recommendations that can have general application.

Ending Domestic Abuse: A Pack for Churches. (By Restored. 2016.) Although this material has sections that are specific to the United Kingdom, some parts are equally relevant in other countries (available in seven languages including Spanish & French).

VAWNet 

For over two decades, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence has operated VAWnet, an online network focused on violence against women and other forms of gender-based violence. VAWnet.org has long been identified as an unparalleled, comprehensive, go-to source of information and resources for anti-violence advocates, human service professionals, educators, faith leaders, and others interested in ending domestic and sexual violence.

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