Omega News

Area Church Events Target Domestic Violence

From the Dayton Daily News
Saturday, October 6, 2007

BYLINE: By Khalid Moss Staff Writer

DAYTON - Some religious congregations have had a spotty history when it comes to preventing domestic abuse.

"Some churches have condoned, sanctioned and even sanctified domestic violence out of a misunderstanding of what marriage is," said Daryl Fairchild, executive director of Dayton's Interfaith Triologue. "They have misread and misinterpreted the Scriptures. I have no doubt this is perpetuated in congregations with rigid gender roles. Consequently, they have contributed to the abuse of women."

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and two Dayton congregations are working together to prevent domestic violence. On Wednesday, Omega Baptist Church and Temple Israel along with Dayton's Artemis Center will host a series of interfaith events aimed at engaging lay and religious leaders.

Susan Gottschalk directs the Family Violence Collaborative for the Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence in Dayton. Artemis provides early intervention, support services and education for victims and their children. She said the Omega event will feature speaker Tony Porter.

"He's founder of the organization A Call To Men," she said. "Porter explores how men and boys are socialized to view women as having less value than men, as the property of men," she said. "He believes that ending violence against women is primarily the responsibility of men, and he conveys his message in a very compelling and uplifting way."

Gottschalk, who trains faith leaders how to read signs of domestic abuse, said Dayton's faith community has given Artemis unwavering support.

"There have been times when we needed to help a victim and we've called upon a church that has helped us in the past," she said.

"The faith community has been wonderful."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2167 or kmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com

Interfaith events aim to prevent domestic violence

Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Omega Baptist Church Harvard Campus, 1810 Harvard Blvd.

Thursday at 6 p.m. at Masonic Center, 525 W. Riverview Ave., community event emceed by Carl Day.

Friday at 8:30 a.m. at Masonic Center, professional in-service; registration required, fee $10.

Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. at Hope Hotel 10823 Chidlaw Road (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base event).

For information, call 461-5091.

Where to go for help

Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence, (937) 461-5091.

How faith-based groups can prevent domestic violence

Recognize that male violence against women and children is an important issue.

Assure victims they are not alone and that help is available.

Seek expert assistance from advocacy organizations.

Offer training on the dynamics of intimate partner violence and make information readily available.

Include domestic violence education in youth classes.

Refer victims to certified domestic violence advocacy programs, not to couples counseling.

Sources: S. A. Reid Atlanta Journal Constitution, Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute, Partnership Against Domestic Violence