FOR HELP; Call LINKline which operates 24-7, and will link you to free help, including counseling, shelter, transportation, advocacy and other services. 1-800-897- LINK (5465) or 911 for immediate help. You can visit their website for more information at Utah Domestic Violence Coalition.
Have you witnessed or heard persons, married or in another relationship, argue violently?
Had a child run to your house because mom and dad were fighting?
Seen someone at mass or at the store with facial bruises and had concern and questions?
According to a 2006 study, 37% of women in Utah report experiencing domestic violence at some point in their lives.
Abuse in any form--verbal, emotional, physical, or mental--has no place inside of a Catholic marriage or in Catholic family life.
You can help by providing a safe harbor for people to talk. You can download information here, http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/domestic-violence/index.cfm
Pope Francis has declared a “Year of Amoris Laetitia Family” (March 19, 2021 - June 26, 2022), encouraging the Church to find new and creative ways to accompany families. As Domestic Violence Awareness Month is in October, it is an ideal month to accompany families who experience domestic violence and abuse.
Catholic psychologist Dr. Christauria Welland provides research data in her book, How Can We Help to End Violence in Catholic Families?: A Guide for Clergy, Religious, and Laity, downloadable in six languages for free at paxinfamilia.org. It is most unfortunate that 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence (see ncadv.org/statistics). In Utah, every year approximately 80 Utah children witness the murder or attempted murder of their mother (see Utah Domestic Violence Coalition Statistics https://www.udvc.org/resources/policy-reports/reports.html).
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) addresses the issue of domestic violence and abuse in the pastoral statement, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women. The statement is posted in English and Spanish on the USCCB website (https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/when-i-call-help-pastoral-response-domestic-violence) and is available in print, along with a resource card that lists eleven indicators of abuse and contact information for help in the USCCB online store. A companion video, When You Preach...Remember Me, is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3R3PCOkEf8.
Parishes can help by having liturgies or intercessions at Mass praying for those who are victims and calling to Reconciliation and change those who are abusers.
Catholics for Family Peace provides an abundance of resources - http://www.catholicsforfamilypeace.org/
Prayers of the Faithful provided by Catholics for Family Peace- http://www.catholicsforfamilypeace.org/uploads/1/3/3/0/133030287/prayers_of_the_faithful.pdf
Litany of Hope also provided by Catholics for Family Peace-
English - http://www.catholicsforfamilypeace.org/uploads/1/3/3/0/133030287/litany_of_hope.pdf
Spanish- http://www.catholicsforfamilypeace.org/uploads/1/3/3/0/133030287/letani%CC%81a_de_la_esperanza.pdf
Liturgical Resources are also available in Spanish and English through the USCCB: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/domestic-violence/index.cfm
