A group targeting domestic violence in South Carolina held its first training session Nov. 17-18 at First Baptist Church, Hartsville. “Domestic Violence and Community: Faith Based and Justice Response” offered judges, law enforcement, victim advocates’ attorneys and faith-based leaders in the Pee Dee area an opportunity to be trained in the warning signs and repercussions of domestic violence.
A two-year grant which funds domestic violence prevention initiatives in rural Pee Dee counties is spearheaded by the state Attorney General’s office, and includes various domestic violence agencies across the state and the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The grant will fund, among other initiatives, training for pastors and other church staff in the proper method of assisting domestic violence victims.
The convention will act as a connecting agency between churches and agencies assisting domestic violence victims. The grant is the first of its kind in the U.S. and the only known domestic violence grant to add a faith-based component.
During the November training, Carl Smith, pastor of Southern Bleachery Baptist Church in Taylors, presented treatment options for batterers along with various options and roles for faith-based leaders. In addition to being a pastor, Smith also serves as outreach facilitator of the family violence intervention program of Compass Carolina in Greenville, where he facilitates anger management courses for domestic violence victims and perpetrators.
Smith sees the trainings as an opportunity for convention churches to arm the front lines in the fight against domestic violence.
“If pastors and church staff will take advantage of the trainings provided, they will come to know and trust victims’ advocates and batterers’ treatment providers in their areas.”
Smith hopes this trust will lead to more pastors referring victims for assistance. Smith also hopes that by recognizing the signs of abuse and referring the victims to the appropriate agencies, the cycle of abuse can begin to weaken.
“Pastors and staff members can truly be empowered to empower the victims and batterers to change the way they relate to each other from harmful, destructive patterns to positive, productive ones,” Smith stated.
With a kingdom mindset, the convention is joining other denominations in equipping faith based leaders to deal with domestic violence. The United Methodist Church, Catholic Charities and the Episcopal Church, among others, have written policy statements on domestic violence. United Methodists recently held statewide trainings that solely focused on domestic violence. The Catholic Diocese in South Carolina sponsored a first responders training to clergy and lay people in the church.
Another training session in the Pee Dee region is scheduled for February or March.
Though currently the grant focuses on the Pee Dee region, Smith hopes all ministry leaders can benefit from recognizing one of the most prevalent social problems in the state.
“I hope that the grant, through?the trainings that are provided, will enable faith leaders to come to see, as does our Attorney General, that domestic violence is the greatest crime problem facing the state of South Carolina. Also, as the faith-based community becomes more aware of the dynamics of domestic violence, that community will be drawn to more actively?defend and aid the victims and children and more actively challenge the batterers.”
For more information on domestic violence training for ministry leaders, log on to www.scbaptist.org or contact the adult ministry group at (800) 723-7242.
Pray for domestic violence victims:
?That they find and maintain a physical place of safety in which to live.?
?That they will realize they are worthy of respect, and will make decisions?that reflect that they expect to be respected in their homes.?
?That they will recognize that “perfect love casts out fear,” and that those who truly love us do not express that love through power, control or intimidation tactics.