“…the family is the first and indispensable teacher of peace.
It is no wonder, therefore, that violence, if perpetrated in the family,
is seen as particularly intolerable.” - Pope
Benedict XVI
Patterns of domestic violence or abuse of any kind between people in marriage
or dating relationships, or in child abuse, are often learned in families. Unless
something changes, these patterns can be repeated in generation after generation.
It can be very difficult to break free from this vicious cycle.
“The
Catholic Church teaches that violence against another person in any form fails
to treat that person as someone worthy of love. Instead, it treats the person
as an object to be used. When violence occurs within
a sacramental marriage, the abused spouse may question, "How do these violent
acts relate to my promise to take my spouse for better or for worse?" The
person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does
not violate the marriage promises.” 1
Violence and abuse can take many forms - physical, sexual, psychological,
verbal or economic. If you are an abuser, a victim, or both; please seek
help to break the pattern. If you are not sure the problem is serious enough,
or who is at fault, talk confidentially about it to someone you trust or
call one of the numbers listed below. You may be too close to the situation
to make an accurate judgment.
For victims, it can be dangerous to stay and dangerous to leave. Only you
can judge the risk. So first make a safety plan and take any necessary
steps to keep yourself and your children as safe as possible. Then when
you can, seek the support and help you need to end the cycle of violence. Use
the resources listed below. You are not alone. Help is available.
1 “When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic
Violence Against Women” by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Sources of Help and Information
(Always Call 911 and/or the Police First If You Are In Immediate Danger)
A quick reference pamphlet from the Office of Formation and Discipleship about domestic violence
with a list of resources available in the Archdiocese of Atlanta:
Your parish can help you with spiritual and emotional support as well as
with connecting you to the resources you may need. Click
Here to
find a parish near you.
“When I Call For Help” by the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) available in both English and Spanish.
More information about Catholic marriage and domestic violence can be found
at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site www.foryourmarriage.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) www.ndvh.org (website
has recommendations for creating safety plans)
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) Visit www.gcadv.org/ or
call their hotline for Georgia: 1-800-33-Haven (1-800-334-2836).
Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) www.padv.org (website
has recommendations for creating safety plans)
“Love Is Not Abuse” http://loveisnotabuse.com/handbooks.htm This
website offers free booklets and guides on how to talk about this issue with
family, teens, or friends.
“Love Is Respect” A hotline and website with special information
for teenagers that may be in abusive dating relationships or for family and
friends who want to help them. Call 1-866-331-9474 or visit www.loveisrespect.org
For Help in Many Languages
International Women’s House 24 Hour Hotline: 770-413-5557
Good Shepherd Services (Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese) 770-455-9379,
Gwinnett: 770-939-2200, Clayton and South: 404-366-8677
For Immigrants, Refugees and Asylees
Immigration Legal Services of Catholic Charities Atlanta provides services
to immigrants, refugees and asylees: helps eligible individuals and families
obtain legal status, assists clients to naturalize, and provides legal
representation in deportation proceedings. They specialize in assistance to
survivors of domestic violence, abandoned or neglected foreign children, detained
clients and victims of trafficking and crimes.
Stopping Domestic Violence and Abuse 
Domestic
Violence and Abuse: Break the Silence, Stop the Cycle