Washington, DC — Religious leaders are often the first point of contact for domestic violence victims seeking a safe and secure place to disclose their abuse. Recognizing religious communities’ integral role in supporting, counseling and advocating for victims of abuse, Jewish Women International (JWI) has launched a national Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition to amplify the faith community’s voice in national policy and legislative initiatives. The group, comprised of more than twenty national religious and community based organizations, will hold its inaugural briefing February 13 on Capitol Hill.
The briefing, “Policy & Persuasion: How Faith-Based Communities Can Work Together to Advance Domestic Violence Laws,” will take place 9 –10 a.m. in Senate Hart 902 on Capitol Hill. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a former chief county prosecutor and outspoken advocate for domestic violence victims, will be the keynote speaker.
Other speakers will include: Lori Weinstein, JWI’s executive director; Maxine Lloyd Ball, a domestic violence survivor, author, and religious leader; Linda Bales, program director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project of the United Methodist Church; and Elaine Witman, director of partnership and program development at Sidran Institute. Imam Magid, vice president of the Islamic Society of North America, an invited speaker, will address how religious leaders can support domestic violence victims in their communities and nationally.
