Lutheran Stand on Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

Assembly Action CA89.4.20 (1989)

To affirm and continue the strong commitment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to provide a compassionate response to victims of family violence;

To acknowledge the role of the church in the process of healing for victims of family violence and to educate the church for the process of healing;

To affirm, support, and initiate the variety of ministries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that advocate for victims, provide public education and training, and provide direct services, including shelters, and appropriate treatment for offenders, working in conjunction with appropriate local law enforcement and community agencies;

To intensify efforts by all expressions of the ELCA designed to decrease the incidence of domestic violence and to educate the church in ways to end domestic violence and to work for a violence-free society;

To continue and expand through the Division for Social Ministry Organizations, the Commission for Church in Society, the Division for Congregational Life, and the Commission for Women, education and training of clergy, associates in ministry, congregations, and institutions of this church as care givers to victims of family violence; and

To receive, at the 1991 Churchwide Assembly, a report of these efforts to decrease the incidence of domestic violence.