Community Corner

Faith Communities Say: NO MORE to Domestic, Sexual Violence

Vigils, awareness events begin on May 2.

What can faith communities do to help end the silent crimes of domestic and sexual violence? They can give women a safe place to tell their stories and hear, perhaps for the first time, these words: “We believe you” or “This is NOT your fault.”

More than nine faith communities in Merrimack County are banding together to say, “We will be silent no more.”

On the weekend of May 2, these communities will hold discussions, provide information, give sermons and/or let it be known that scripture does not condone violence against women, men, children or teens.

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Additionally, on Sunday, May 4, there will be a Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil and March. The vigil will begin at 7 p.m. at South Congregational Church (27 Pleasant St, Concord) with prayers and remembrances. At 7:30 p.m., the candle light march will move down Main Street to the State House Lawn.

In Merrimack County, 1 out of every 2 women will experience domestic or sexual violence in her lifetime. By any measure, this is an epidemic. In 2013, the Crisis Center of Central NH (whose service area is Merrimack County) provided 10,275 services to those being abused; services such as answers to crisis line calls, advocate visits to the hospital and/or courtroom, etc. While women are the primary target of domestic and sexual violence, men, children and even pets are also victims. During 2013, the Crisis Center of Central NH served 796 women, 106 children and 88 men.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Faith Communities are often the first place domestic and sexual violence victims turn for support. Unfortunately, often these victims are not understood or are given advice that is not helpful or that may even be damaging. In some instances, faith community doctrine may even seem to support the sanctity of marriage over safety, even if a partner is being abused. Victims are expected to forgive or to “move on.”

Faith communities can play a deeply significant role in ending these crimes.

“Faith communities have been silent on this issue for too long. Our silence is not healthy. This is not a private matter. We need to speak out against this sin of abuse…God preaches love so we can serve one another. Violence against another is not God’s will.” – The Rev. John Hopkins of Concordia Lutheran Church, Concord, co-organizer of the PREACH IN, Crisis Center of Central NH Board member. 

“We are in the business of transforming lives…we have an important role to play to help change the culture of violence that allows the epidemic of domestic and sexual assault to thrive.” - The Rev. Michael Leuchtenberger, Unitarian Universalist Church, Concord PREACH IN co-organizer.

In Merrimack County, starting the weekend of May 2, many faith communities will say, “We will support you.” “We hear you. You don’t have to live like this anymore.”

Participating Faith Communities:

  • Bow Mills United Methodist Church, Bow
  • Concordia Lutheran Church, Concord
  • St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Concord
  • Temple Beth Jacob, Concord
  • South Congregational Church, Concord
  • Unitarian Universalist Churches of, Concord, Franklin and Manchester
  • Wesley Methodist Church, Concord


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