* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:D096
Title:Prevention of Domestic Violence
Topic:Violence
Committee:15 - Education
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:The Rev. Martha H. Kreamer

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention speak out clearly against the widespread practice of Domestic Violence; and be it further

Resolved, That members of General Convention covenant to pray for victims and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the appropriate interim bodies to review and recommend the utilization of existing training developed for Domestic Violence prevention, in order to counter the culture which sustains it; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention strongly encourage all Episcopal bishops and other clergy and lay leadership to participate in such training as may be available to them; and be it further

Resolved, That clergy take leadership in making such information and training available to their congregations and the community.


EXPLANATION

According to Department of Justice statistics, in the last five years, more women in the US have been killed by the men they live with, or used to live with, than American soldiers have been killed in war. The loss of these precious lives, and the grief suffered by their families, is a national tragedy. Thousands more women are battered, abused, and humiliated. Thousands of children are exposed to conditions that breed more batterers, as well as more victims. Yet, where is the outrage against the cycle of violence? Who will speak for these victims?
 
Advocacy groups, one being the Alabama Council Against Domestic Violence, recognize that faith traditions have great influence on the culture of permissiveness surrounding this behavior. They have developed powerful programs to educate church leadership in prevention and pastoral care for those involved in domestic violence situations. These programs and trainers would gladly share their knowledge at no cost to us; however, they have found it extremely difficult to persuade clergy and lay leadership of the need to participate. Consequently, church leaders have all too often exacerbated the problem, inadvertently creating a culture of permissiveness.
 
The focus and priority of the Episcopal Church on peace and justice issues, in the spirit of Ubuntu, makes this convention a perfect advocate to speak out against domestic violence. Furthermore, with a resolve to take action, we have the ability to become leaders in transforming cultures that accept such cycles of violence.

This resolution is being simultaneously submitted as D079.


* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.