Resources on Abuse for Churches/Faith Groups:

Expanding the Circle of Caring: Ministering to the family members of survivors and perpetrators of sexual abuse
Addresses the needs of those indirectly affected by the acts of sexual abuse by story telling and informative articles. Also speaks to how the church can minister to them.
$5 USD $7 Cdn.

Lord Hear Our Prayers: Domestic Violence Worship Resources
Designed to assist congregations to break the silence of abuse in worship settings. It includes resources for worship services and adult or youth Christian education.
$5 USD $7 Cdn.

Crossing the Boundary: Sexual Abuse by Professionals
Explains the pattern of sexual abuse by professionals, including abuse by clergy and discusses ways to prevent and address it.
$5 USD $7 Cdn.

Broken Boundaries: Child Sexual Abuse
Presents information, stories and worship resources along with suggestions for the church's involvement.
$6 USD $8 Cdn.

Advocacy Training Manual: Advocating for survivors of sexual abuse by a Church Leader or Caregiver
Designed for advocates, those persons who have chosen to walk with survivors as they go through denominational procedures for filing charges of sexual abuse against pastors.
Booklet, $12 U.S./$18 Cdn.

Making Your Sanctuary Safe: Resources for Developing Congregational Abuse Prevention Policies
Guidelines for assisting congregations in the development of prevention policies to guard against abuse in church settings. Includes information on screening volunteers and some sample policies being used by Mennonite and BIC congregations. 2001.
Packet. $3 U.S./$5 Cdn.

Pornography, The Secret Sin
What is the relationship between pornography and abuse, and how does pornography manifest itself? Includes information, stories, and preventive steps.
2001.
Packet. $5 U.S./$7 Cdn.

Purple Packet Domestic Violence (wife abuse)
Includes information, resources, stories, and action steps about battering and abuse in intimate relationships. Addresses how the church can respond.
Revised 2001. Packet $5 U.S./$7 Cdn.

Understanding Sexual Abuse By Church Leader
Includes story and information focused specifically on pastoral sexual misconduct and abuse.
2001.
Booklet. $5 U.S./$7 Cdn.

The Network of Adult Survivors
The Network was formed in 1990 as a confidential mailing list to provide support to abuse survivors in the U.S. and Canada. Its purpose is to encourage communication and advocacy among abuse survivors who have connections to Mennonite and Brethren in Christ groups. The Network provides quarterly mailings as a way to exchange information, resources and ideas. No cost. For information about joining the network send a confidential request to Women's Concerns at MCC U.S., 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500.

Fire in the Rose is a curriculum resource kit for congregations seeking to grow in their capacity to deal with violence. The Mennonite Fellowship is Rosther, Saskatchewan participated in the interdenominational project which developed the kit. The material is designed to be copied so a leader in the adult Sunday School at Killarney Park Mennonite Brethren Church used some of the Biblical material and a participatory exercise to provide the foundation for three sessions on peacemaking. "the result was thoughtful discussion and a request for a follow-up session," she reports.
Available on loan from MCC BC.

Airhart, D. Phyllis and Bendroth, Margaret Lamberts Bendroth, Faith Traditions & The Family.
A variety of authors consider diverse religious traditions in North America and show how they have responded to changes in the family in the last half century. Of special note is chapter 3 "Mennonite: Family Life as Christian Community".

Block, Isaac I. Assault on God's Image: Domestic Abuse.
Winnipeg: Windflower, 1991.

Bussert, Joy M., Battered Women.
New York: Division for Mission in North America, Lutheran Church in America, 1986.
Subtitled "From a Theology of Suffering to an Ethic of Empowerment", this book is a most welcome addition to the field from the perspective of a Christian pastor. It deals with the theological roots not only of sexism but of violence and punishment within marriage.

Clarke, Rita-Lou. Pastoral Care of Battered Women.
Pennsylvania: Westminster Press, 1986.

Kroeger, Catherine Clark & Beck, James R., eds. Healing the Hurting: Giving Hope & Help to Abused Women. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.

Leehan, James. Pastoral Care for Survivors of Family Abuse.
Westminster: John Knox, 1989.

Miller, Melissa A. Family Violence: The Compassionate Church Responds.
Waterloo: Herald Press, 1994.
This book has a helpful emphasis on the church as a healing community and the work of forgiveness and reconciliation as good news for the family.

Morris, Roberta. Ending Violence in Families: A Training Program for Pastoral Care. Workers. Toronto: Ecumenical Family Ministries, 1988.

Nason-Clark, N. The Battered Wife: How Christians Confront Family Violence. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.

Penner, Carol, ed. Women & Men: Gender in the Church. Waterloo, Ont.: Herald Press, 1989.

Paymar, Michael. Violent No More: Helping Men End Domestic Violence.
Salt Lake City: Hunter House, 1993.

Poling, James N. The Abuse of Power: A Theological Problem.
Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1991.

Not In My Church by Gagiulo, Maria. (Video.) Produced by The Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, 1991, 45 minutes. To order visit www.dpsdv.org
An award-winning, dramatic video that tells the story of one church faced with a betrayal of trust by its minister - a story that could happen in any church. Comes with a 24 page study guide and a packet of awareness brochures.

Ask Before You Hug: Sexual Harassment in the Church by EcuFilm. (Video) 32 minutes. To order call 1-800-251-4091.
An excellent teaching tool for prevention and discussion of sexual harassment in churches or Christian organizations.

Promesas Quebrantadas: Perspectivas Religiosas Acerca de la Violencia Domestica. Escritia por: Billie Sargent hatchell; Centro para la Prevencion de la Violencia Sexual y Domestica, 1999, Parte 1: 37 minutos; Parte 2: 22 minutos. www.dpsdv.org

Wings Like a Dove. (Video.) Produced by the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic violence.
This 34 minute video offers hope and healing to abused Christian women and provides valuable educational information for religious groups. A study guide is included.

When Love Hurts - A Woman's Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships, authored by Jill Corey and Karen McAndless-Davis, 2000. www.womankindpress.com