FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 1, 2001

LOCAL CHURCHES TO ADDRESS FAMILY VIOLENCE ON "BREAK THE SILENCE" SABBATH WEEKEND, JANUARY 19-21, 2001

(Columbus) - Central Ohio clergy are again uniting in their efforts to combat family violence in our community by holding a “Break the Silence Sabbath Weekend” January 19-21. On these dates, places of worship will have activities, presentations and sermons on this pervasive issue. In 1999, more than 3,300 cases of child abuse and 6,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in Franklin County.

The “Sabbath Weekend” springs from an interfaith clergy forum, “Break the Silence,” held last fall co-sponsored by the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence. At this forum, faith leaders learned about available resources and brainstormed ideas to help victims in their congregations.

“The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence was created to foster alliances like the one formed by the faith community to break the cycle of family violence,” said Abigail Wexner, Coalition founder and Board Chair. “We know that only programs that are comprehensive and cohesive are successful in making a difference to those experiencing family violence. Now that local faith leaders have learned the magnitude of the problem and how they can help, they are taking action. Their commitment begins a supportive, faith-based network for all who are subjected to family violence. Central Ohio has never had that kind of network before.”

"During our Sabbath Weekend on the 19th through the 21st of this month, I have asked our pastors to preach and hold activities to educate their congregations about family violence. We are called to be advocates for the needs of family violence survivors. The religious community must work to eliminate structural barriers and build institutional supports that empower women who are victims and survivors of family violence to make choices that provide safety for themselves and their children," said Bishop James A. Griffin, Catholic Diocese of Columbus.

Activities taking place at Catholic churches on Sabbath Weekend include Sunday mass homilies on the topic and presentations at parish women’s groups by experts speaking about their intervention with families affected by violence. The Bishop has also implemented a program to train over 3,000 clergy, staff, teachers, social workers, religious education leaders and volunteers in the Diocese on family violence prevention over the next 18 months.

"We will no longer be silent - either privately or publicly - thereby condoning violence in the home,” said Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff of Temple Israel, another of the faith leaders spearheading the joint effort. “We join with churches and synagogues throughout this city in dedicating the Shabbat of January 19 and 20 to speaking out from the pulpit regarding this issue. Our goals are three fold:
1) to acknowledge that family violence exists in our midst;
2) to condemn family violence;
3) to offer help to both abused and abuser to bring both back to health and wholeness.

Jewish tradition speaks about 'Shalom Bayit,' peace in the home. By speaking out, Temple Israel hopes to help more Jewish families create true shalom, true peace, in their homes and in their lives. Temple Israel's rabbis will talk about family violence on Friday evening and Saturday morning, January 19 and 20, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. respectively.”

Reverend Jesse Wood, President, Columbus Baptist Pastors Conference, who is the third religious leader who called for the Sabbath Weekend said, “Research shows us violence is a learned behavior, frequently learned at home…a place that should be a sanctuary. And when home is not a sanctuary, the abused turn to their other sanctuary – their pastors, rabbis, ministers, or priests. That is why we expect the Sabbath Weekend to be the first of many more proactive efforts to curb family violence and create sanctuaries for those congregational members who are at risk.”

Since its founding in 1998, the Columbus Coalition Against Family has formed business community, health care, legal system, victim services and faith community task forces to create a community culture that does not tolerate family violence. This is done by: mobilizing community experts and resources, raising community awareness, supporting new initiatives for prevention and intervention, and increasing and enhancing community participation. For more information, or to become involved in the work of the Coalition, call 614.722.5985.