Washington D.C., Oct 5, 2016 / 00:57 am America/Denver (CNA).
Marking the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Catholic University of America has released a toolkit to help connect victims with the resources they need.
The toolkit was assembled by Catholics for Family Peace Education and Research Initiative, a part of the university’s National Catholic School of Social Service.
It includes several links to resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and other organizations that combat domestic abuse. The materials strongly encourage the faithful to spread this information.
“Domestic violence affects the whole family, including any children,” reads the resource kit. “Faith communities are called to offer hope, help, and healing to all harmed by domestic abuse and violence.”
The kit stresses the importance of education about sexual assault, as well as aids for a social media campaign to help spread awareness and support. It also stresses that domestic abuse “is not a private family matter” and that it is “serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans.”