You are here: home >> offices >> family life office

Stopping Domestic Violence and Abuse

Domestic Violence and Abuse: Break the Silence, Stop the Cycle

Violencia Doméstica y Abuso: Rompe el silencio para el ciclo de la Violencia

If you have experienced physical or emotional abuse in your marriage, it is important to keep yourself and your children safe first, and then get the support and help necessary to prevent the pattern of violence or abuse from continuing in the family.  Times of stress or crisis, such as experienced during separation or divorce, can be especially dangerous.

Patterns of domestic violence, both spousal abuse and child abuse, are very often learned and transmitted through the generations. It is also very common to leave one abusive relationship only to recreate the pattern in the next relationship. Some people have been told or come to believe that abuse is God’s will or that this is justifiable punishment.  This is not true.  The Catholic Church condemns domestic abuse and violence in all forms and never expects you to be harmed for the sake of your marriage.

If you have a history of domestic violence as an abuser, a victim or both, seek help to break the pattern.  Be mindful that your children are at risk too.  And if you aren’t sure there is a real problem, but family and friends see a problem, seek help anyway.  You may be too close to the situation to make an accurate judgment. 

Sources of Help and Information

1. Your parish can help you with spiritual and emotional support as well as connect to the resources you may need.
2. “When I Call For Help”  A statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) available in both  English and Spanish:  www.nccbuscc.org/laity/help.shtml
3. More information about Catholic marriage and domestic violence can be found at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site www.ForYourMarriage.org
4. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)  www.ndvh.org
   
5. Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence  www.gcadv.org/                                                                          
   24 Hour Hotline for Georgia:  1-800-33-Haven (1-800-334-2836)
6. Partnership Against Domestic Violence www.padv.org (See recommendations for safety plans on the PADV and NCADV websites.)
7. “Love Is Not Abuse” This website offers free booklets and guides on how to talk about this issue with family, teens, or friends.  http://loveisnotabuse.com/handbooks.htm A new hotline and website for teens is also available with special information for teens who may be in abusive dating relationships, their family and friends. 1-866-331-9474 www.loveisrespect.org

For help in many languages:

1. International Women’s House  24 Hour Hotline: 770-413-5557
2. Tapestri, Inc.  404-299-2185 www.tapestri.org
3. Domestic Violence Line (Spanish)  404-651-1375
4. Caminar Latino www.caminarlatino.org
5. La Línea Nacional sobre Violencia Doméstica 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
   http://www.ndvh.org/espanol/help/index.html
6. Good Shepherd Services (Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese) 770-455-9379, Gwinnett: 770-939-2200, Clayton and  South: 404-366-8677

Help For Parents and Their Children

Both of the listings below are 24-hour, 7-day-a-week national crisis hotlines staffed by professional counselors to help parents figure out solutions to parenting problems, to help parents who are worried they may harm their child, or to help children who are fearful of harm.  Translation service is available.  The websites also post material to read about parenting and child abuse prevention.

1. The Boystown National Hotline 1-800-448-3000 http://www.girlsandboystown.org/hotline/hotlineQA.asp 
2. Childhelp USA, National Child Abuse Hotline  1-800-422-4453   http://www.childhelpusa.org/resources/help-for-parents2  

Always Call 911 and/or the Police First If You Are In Immediate Danger