Domestic Violence
What the Catholic Church Teaches about Domestic Violence
The U.S. Catholic Bishops have made clear that “violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form- physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is sinful; often it is a crime as well.” (When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women, 2002)
Fr. Charles Dahm, Archdiocese of Chicago, gives an excellent video summary of Catholic response in his homily, "Let's Reach Out to Victims of Domestic Violence as Jesus Would’".
Domestic Violence and Parish Social Ministry Webinar
Domestic Violence is Real: Implementing a Parish Response
Experts Laura Yeomans and Dr. Sharon O'Brien discuss domestic abuse and what we need to do to respond with hope, help, and healing to victims of domestic violence, with the goal of promoting family peace.
USCCB on Domestic Violece
"Violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form-physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is sinful; often, it is a crime as well." USCCB, When I Call for Help, 2002.
The Catholic Bishops of the United States affirmed their stance against domestic violence, and their support for victims of domestic violence, in their 2002 statement, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women, an updated version of their 1992 statement.
Click HERE to view the statement, find resources, and more.
The first episode features originally scheduled 2020 Conference Keynote Speaker Amy Herman, author, attorney, and art historian, whose ground-breaking work in the study of visual perception through art became a method of investigation for law enforcement and launched a movement she describes as The Art of Perception.
Episode 2 - No Visible Bruises: Examining the Data of DV - Rachel Louise Snyder
Award-winning journalist Rachel Louise Snyder examines the impact of her research in No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us a year post publishing.
Episode 3 - Why Strangulation Matters - Kelsey McKay
Kelsey McKay is a former prosecutor and a nationally recognized expert on strangulation who developed a critical protocol for strangulation and domestic violence response and treatment.
Episode 4 - Aquatic Abuse Homicide - Andrea Zaferes
Andrea Zaferes is a medicolegal death investigator who specializes in the handling of aquatic cases from the crime scene to the courtroom.
Episode 5 - Intersectionality and Working with Survivors of Color - Gretta Gardner
Gretta Gordy Gardner is the Deputy Director for Ujima., Inc.: a project of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence at The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community.
Episode 6 - Embracing Technology in a COVID-19 World - Myra and Russell Strand
Myra and Russell Strand co-founded Strand Squared, a training and consulting agency with the mission to “dramatically shift the cultural paradigm in order to improve society’s response to individuals who have experienced trauma, victimization, and other complex experiences.
Episode 7 - The Intersection of Guns and Domestic Violence - U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox
Research shows that abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than abusers who don’t have that same access to a gun. United States Attorney Erin Nealy Cox is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Northern District of Texas and chairs the recently formed Domestic Violence Working Group.
Episode 8 - Rape Culture in the Time of #MeToo - Amy Jones
Amy Jones is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and the CEO of the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center- an organization that provides counseling, crisis intervention, and advocacy for those whose lives have been affected by sexual violence.
Episode 9 - Working With Teens - Jordyn Lawson
Jordyn Lawson serves as senior director of Residential Services at Genesis Women's Shelter & Support in Dallas, Texas where she supervises both the emergency shelter and Annie's House transitional living program.
Episode 10 - Why Doesn't She Leave? An Officer's Perspective on Domestic Violence - Mark Wynn
Mark Wynn is a retired 21-year member of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department who served as Lieutenant to the Domestic Violence Division and as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team for fifteen years.
Episode 11 - Bringing Justice to the Community: A Holistic Approach - Carvana Cloud & Dr. Khara Breeden
Coordinated Community Response (CCR) is a systemic, multi-layered approach to domestic violence that employs collaborative and integrated service delivery. Carvana Cloud is a former prosecutor and the executive director of Community Empowerment Solutions. Dr. Khara Breeden is a registered nurse who serves as the executive director of the Harris County Forensic Nurse Examiners.
Episode 12 - Why Labels Matter: The Dangers of Casual Diagnoses in Abusive Relationships - Julie Owens
Julie Owens, a victim advocate who survived the domestic violence of attempted murder discusses labeling: the act of identifying and naming a person’s behavior based loosely on information obtained by unreliable sources rather than through evaluation and diagnosis from mental health clinicians.
Episode 13 - Survivor Leadership - Rebecca Bender and Christine Cesa
Rebecca Bender is the founder and CEO of the Rebecca Bender Initiative and a nationally recognized expert on human trafficking who escaped nearly six years of modern-day slavery. Christine Cesa is a survivor advocate responding to victims of violence and providing emergency services to survivors of human trafficking in the healthcare system. She is a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation of children, specifically familial trafficking.
Episode 14 - Navigating Justice for Women in Indian Country - Nicole Matthews
It is well-documented that women in tribal communities experience a significantly higher rate of domestic violence and human trafficking throughout the United States. Nicole Matthews is Anishinabe from the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and is the Executive Director for the Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition.
Our deepest gratitude to our presenting sponsor, The Mary Kay Foundation, each of the experts who helped make this season both entertaining and educational, our brilliant host and creative partner Maria MacMullin, Genesis Women's Shelter & Support, On-Air Media, and each and every one of our listeners! Rate, review, and subscribe for exciting updates on Season 2.
BTSADV has grown to become a national nonprofit organization led by survivor-volunteers who serve victims, survivors, and families affected by domestic violence. Our BTSADV “family” provides support in an effort to:
- eliminate isolation and suicidal thoughts
- reduce anxiety
- build trust in healthy friendships
- inspire passion
- provide tools to manage PTSD symptoms
- reduce depression symptoms
Click Here to apply or donate to Grants for Hope. Helping with essential items as rent, groceries, child care, and basic bills. Helpline: 855-BTS-1777
City of Dallas DV Task Force
The Dallas Domestic Violence Task Force is made up of 40 plus members of various Dallas area agencies whose primary focus is the prevention and eradication of domestic violence and the support of victims. Click Here for a full list of resources that include hotlines, emergency assistance, shelters, counseling, and legal resources.
English bishops dedicate Day of Life to highlight domestic violence.
Programs and Resouces
The Diocese of Dallas has put together a group of organizations and programs to assist with Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. Click Here to view or print the full list.
Catholic Charites of Dallas answering to Domestic Violence.
Printable Postcard | Postal Imprimible
Useful phone numbers for those in need during times of crisis. Resources are a phone call away. We are here to help and your information is confidential.
Números de teléfono Útiles para los que necesiten ayuda durante tiempo de crisis. Los recursos están a una llamada telefónica. Estamos aquí para ayudar y su información es confidencial.
Violencia Doméstica es un Crimen
Click here to view the full list of Shelters, Outreach Services, and Survivor Support. in the DFW area. See the directory of other resources includes national hotlines, counseling, sex trafficking, food pantries, and other general assistance.
Numbers at a Glance
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Mosaic Family Services | 214-823-4434 |
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Genesis Women’s Shelter | 214-946-4357 | genesisshelter.org
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The Salvation Army | Family Violence Program | 214-424-7208 | Salvationarmydfw.org
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One Safe Place | 817-916-4323 | onesafeplace.org
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Safehaven of Tarrant County | 1-877-701-7233 | info@safehaventc.org |safehaventc.org
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Domestic Violence | www.thehotline.org
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-8255
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Suicide Crisis Center – 24 hours – 214-828-1000
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Crisis Text Line – Text the word HOME to 741741
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Crisis Text Line – Special keyword for students of color – Text the word STEVE to 741741
Contacts/Contacto:
(214) 379-2881
Catholic Diocese of Dallas, 3725 Blackburn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219, (214) 528-2240,
Media Requests: Annette Gonzales Taylor - Director of Communications, 214-379-2873,
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By providing these links, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse, the
