Domestic Violence - Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

Violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form-physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is sinful; often, it is a crime as well.

—U.S Catholic Bishops, When I Call for Help, 2002

Crisis Support

Your safety is important. If you are in immediate danger or emergency, please call 911

You can also call the National Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233), TTY 1-800-787-3224  for counseling assistance Or text “BEGIN” to 88788 or chat live at https://www.thehotline.org/ English & Spanish Available in addition to interpreter services in any language.

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) or chat online https://hotline.rainn.org/online English & Spanish Available

Apoyo en caso de crisis

Su seguridad es importante. Si se encuentra en peligro inmediato o en una emergencia, llame al 911

También puede llamar a la línea directa nacional de violencia doméstica las 24 horas al 800-799-SAFE (7233), TTY 1-800-787-3224 para obtener asistencia de asesoramiento o enviar un mensaje de texto con la palabra “BEGIN” al 88788 o chatear en vivo en https://www.thehotline.org/disponible en Inglés y español además de los servicios de intérprete en cualquier idioma.

Línea Directa Nacional de Agresión Sexual 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) o chat en línea https://hotline.rainn.org/online

Services Available In Orange County— resources, referrals, safety planning

Human Options: 24/7 toll free hotline: 877-854-3594

Radiant Futures:  24/7 toll free help line: 877-531-5522

Laura’s House 24/7 toll free hotline: 866-498-1511

Education

Domestic violence is any kind of behavior that a person uses, or threatens to use, to control an intimate partner. The two key elements are threat and control. Domestic violence can take various forms:

Physical: Violent actions such as hitting, beating, pushing, and kicking. In many cases physical abuse becomes more frequent and severe over time
Sexual: Includes any sexual acts that are forced on one partner by the other
Psychological: Includes a wide range of behaviors such as intimidation, isolating the victim from friends and family, controlling where the victim goes, making the victim feel guilty or crazy, and making unreasonable demands
Emotional: Undermining an individual’s self-esteem, constant criticism, insults, put-downs, and name-calling
Economic:Examples include limiting the victim’s access to family income, preventing the victim from working or forcing the victim to work, destroying the victim’s property, and making all the financial decisions

Church Teaching

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have made clear that domestic violence should never be tolerated. In the USCCB’s official statement of Domestic Violence, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women, the bishops firmly condemn all forms of Domestic violence. As Catholics we believe that domestic violence, in complete opposition to our Catholic Social Teaching, disintegrates the fundamental social institutions of marriage and family, endangers the life and dignity of a human person, and deprives a person of their fundamental rights. Such action against the dignity of a spouse is a tragic reality that we are facing that must be exposed and addressed.

For more information on overcoming these obstacles, please visit For Your Marriage.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women”
Los Obispos Católicos de EEUU: “Cuando Pido Ayuda: Una Respuesta Pastoral A La Violencia Doméstica Contra La Mujer”
Catholics for Family Peace
Domestic Violence Resources from the U.S. Catholic Bishops
Recursos Sobre Violencia Doméstica de los Obispos Católicos de EEUU

Resources for Parishes

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October
Bulletin Announcement Samples – English/Spanish
Prayers of the Faithful for Domestic Violence Awareness Month – English/Spanish

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Resources

Prayer

Take Action

Mark the last weekend in October for Domestic Violence Awareness at your parish
Work with your pastor to be prepared as a parish to make referrals and share resources (you don’t have to know it all, just pass along the info and care!)
Pamphlets, Books, and Support Group Material For Order
Invite an expert out to speak at your parish group to educate families, prevent unhealthy relationships, and improve family relational skills.