Why involve Faith Leaders in Prevention
Faith Leaders are in a unique position to prevent abuse from happening because of the following:

• They play a role in influencing the lives of children and adolescents.

• They counsel young and older adults in forming new relationships and marriages, and/or becoming parents.

• They influence education programming at their place of worship.

• They are seen as confidants for those with relationship problems and as such can identify warning signs of potential abuse.

• They are highly regarded as religious authorities, and their opinions may influence behavior change that no one else can.

 

Preventing abuse fits with Faith Leaders' religious ethics and calling to create safety and to teach people to walk a path of justice that will create a loving, healthy community.

Naomi Tucker, Shalom Bayit, August, 2005

 

Public Health Prevention

Public health prevention is often described as primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. This model is based on when action occurs.

• Primary prevention takes place before an event occurs. An example of primary domestic violence prevention is teaching youth about healthy relationships.

• Secondary prevention happens immediately after the event occurs and includes steps that decrease the likelihood that the event will re-occur. Becoming safe by going to a shelter after an abusive event is an example of secondary prevention.

• Tertiary prevention occurs over time and includes rehabilitation efforts such as batterers' treatment programs or working with the abused.
   

The Spectrum of Prevention

A more expansive and comprehensive way of looking at violence prevention can be seen in the Spectrum of Prevention. The advantage of this model is that it offers a variety of interventions that will all lead to the ultimate goal of social norm change to zero tolerance of domestic