UU Church in Burlington Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence

This week’s Unitarian Universalists in the Media round-up includes a story from the Burlington Free Press about the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont. The article, “Groups put domestic violence in the spotlight,” explains that the First UU Society is displaying a banner that raises awareness of domestic violence, and the services available to abused women.

A banner with thousands of spray-painted doves will hang on the fence outside the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington today.

Each of the purple doves represents one of the 2,293 adult victims of domestic violence who have accessed the support services of Women Helping Battered Women in a year’s time. The banner will be hung to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The First Unitarian Universalist Society will also hosted a march today as part of Burlington’s domestic violence awareness month.

On a related note…After writing several weeks about how congregations can address the issue of domestic violence, I went to a panel on domestic violence hosted by a local feminist organization. I asked about how congregations can help victims of domestic violence. The panelists suggested the following:

1. Clergy can play an important role by speaking from the pulpit about domestic violence. Especially in a community where ideas about relationships, gender and violence may make it difficult for a victim to seek help, religious leaders can make an impact by offering an alternative point of view.

2. Congregants can befriend people who they are concerned may be victims of domestic violence. Abused people may be socially isolated, and not have a safe person to talk with.

3. Congregations can team up with local organizations that specialize in helping abused men and women, and host an event at the congregation.

Click here for more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.