Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence


			FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 04, 2000 MORE THAN 200 SIGN DECLARATION AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE AT "BREAK THE SILENCE" INTERFAITH FORUM January 2001 Designated to Continue Efforts (Columbus) – More than 200 clergy, congregation administrators and staff representing a variety of religious denominations from across Ohio, attended the "Break the Silence" Interfaith Clergy Forum held on Tuesday, October 31 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Temple Israel at 5419 East Broad Street, and signed a Declaration Against Family Violence. The three-hour Forum was part of a united effort by the Central Ohio faith community to aid family violence victims and concluded with attendees signing the Declaration symbolizing their commitment to speaking out against abuse and to educating their congregations on this issue. In conjunction with the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, the "Break the Silence" Interfaith Forum was spearheaded by Host Committee Members: Bishop James A. Griffin, Catholic Diocese of Columbus; Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff, Temple Israel; and Reverend Jesse Wood, President, Columbus Baptist Pastors Conference. The Forum was a follow up to an interfaith call to action on the family violence epidemic issued by the host committee in May 2000 and is among the first collective religious responses to this societal ill. Vowing to continue their campaign to make the public aware that members of the clergy are resources for victims of family violence, Central Ohio's faith leaders announced another collaborative effort to take place January 2001. Religious leaders plan to preach from the pulpit and hold activities to educate congregations about family violence. "Today we have undertaken a historic effort to be healers to those victimized by family violence, but it is only a beginning" said Bishop Griffin. "Our community must move forward with ongoing efforts. In this spirit, I ask all ministers in our community to join together to make this coming January a special time of awareness when all people will work to educate themselves and help relieve the pain and suffering of domestic violence." "The issue of family violence is a scar on the face of this nation. To bring clergy of all faiths together to begin to address this sin in a serious and concentrated manner is uplifting to me. The spirit of cooperation and consensus around this cause speaks well of Columbus, and indeed of this nation. Although we all believe differently about eternal matters, all of us have joined together regarding this temporal crime," said Rabbi Nemitoff. "As we move into the new year, our faith communities will take an opportunity to speak openly, passionately, and forthrightly about family violence in our communities, in our neighborhoods, and in our own homes. We will do all we can to ensure that family violence does not occur." "Family violence is not just confined to the Central Ohio area. We hope other religious leaders in the state, and across the country, will be inspired by this example to hold similar forums to address family violence in their areas," said Reverend Jesse Wood. "We also realize that our efforts cannot end with today's activities but must be continued if we expect to make a critical difference." The Forum began with an opening prayer and welcoming statement by Rabbi Nemitoff followed by additional statements by Reverend Wood, Mrs. Abigail Wexner, founder and Board Chair of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, and Bishop James A. Griffin. Also on the day's agenda was Father Stephen Dohner, Ph.D., Director of the Diocese of Cleveland's Office of Marriage and Family Ministries, who presented "A Religious Perspective on Family Violence." Father Dohner has written and presented extensively on issues related to family violence and the Church's response to it. He has worked with Catholic dioceses and other faith and community groups around the country in developing pastoral resources and workshops to address the issue. A domestic violence survivor, Brenda Manders, who now works for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, also shared her personal story with the group. A recent study by the United Way of Franklin County's Safety Vision Council and further research revealed that churches, synagogues and other places of worship are considered important sources of counseling and overall communication about family violence, yet many religious leaders feel ill equipped to provide this counsel. "This faith initiative is exactly the kind of challenge the Coalition was created to take on, especially when such a large gap exists between victims' needs and clergy's ability to meet those needs," said Abigail Wexner. "Collaborating with local faith communities allows us to make real systemic changes by supporting those who are in a position to help victims." Breakout sessions during the Forum identified community resources and responses clergy can use to help family violence victims. The faith groups also brainstormed a series of immediate and long-term action steps - like displaying family violence awareness posters and preaching against abuse. Each registered attendee received a "toolkit" containing instructional materials, a video designed to educate congregations about family violence, and resource and referral information. The Interfaith Clergy Forum sponsors included: Beit Ohr (Lighthouse); Catholic Diocese of Columbus; Columbus Baptist Pastors Conference; Columbus Board of Rabbis; Episcopal Church of the United States of America, Diocese of Southern Ohio; Greek Orthodox Cathedral, The Annunciation; Metropolitan Area Church Council; the Nation of Islam; Ohio Council of Churches; Presbyterian Church (USA), Synod of the Covenant; Temple Israel; United Church of Christ; United Methodist Church, West Ohio Conference; The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence; and The Limited & Intimate Brands, Inc. Current Press Releases 2001 Press Releases 1999 Press Releases