Domestic Violence

• Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence:
• For women aged 15 to 44, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury. 
   Children living in a home where the mother is abused are also more likely to receive mistreatment or neglect by the abuser. Children who witness abuse are victims as well. 
• If violence occurs once in a dating relationship, it is likely to occur again. The majority (from 47%-87%) of violence occurs during either the steady or serious dating phase of the relationship.
• One secret that should not be kept is when you are being abused by a spouse or loved one. If you are being hit, kicked, punched or verbally assaulted by your spouse, partner, or significant other you must stop taking the abuse.
• There are many resources within the communities of Archdiocese of Cincinnati to help.    

Archdiocese of Cincinnati Domestic Violence Coalition Commission

In 1992 and again in 2008, the USCCB wrote a document called:  ”When I Call for Help:  A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women”.  In this document, the Bishops call on the Catholic Community to work VIGOROUSLY against this social atrocity and to reach out to those people affected by violence they face in the very place they are supposed to feel safe & secure – at home and/or with their spouse.

In response to this calling the Family and Respect Life Office has created an archdiocesan-wide Domestic Violence Coalition Commission (mission statement link below). 

This Domestic Violence Coalition is made up of Archdiocese employees, various parish employees and area agencies who deal with domestic violence on a daily basis.  We have members from agencies in EVERY county within the archdiocese. 

These agencies are more than willing to come to your Parish and develop a partnership with you.  They can build awareness, provide resources, and educate staff, parents, youth, and the entire faith community.  Domestic violence cannot be satisfied with just the hard work accomplished by a secular group.  They and the people they work with need the involvement of the religious communities.  We ask that as a catholic community, you include the viewpoint of FAITH in working with this serious social problem.  Invite these agencies and your Archdiocesan Domestic Violence Coalition Commission into your parish communities and together we can “work VIGOROUSLY against this social atrocity”.

Please Contact: 
Colleen Gerke : 513-421-3131, ext. 2624, cgerke@catholiccincinnati.org 
Noreen Wendeln:  937-222-0227, ext. 5027, nwendeln@catholiccincinnati.org

If you need assistance:

*Ohio Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 934-9840.   
*The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is (800) 799-7233 (800-799-SAFE).
*County Agencies in the Cincinnati Diocese, click here:  Domestic Violence County Agency List

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) document, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women   \”When I Call for Help\”

Domestic Violence Commission Mission Statement