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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

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Domestic Violence Awareness and Support

Support for impacted individuals of domestic violence is crucial, especially within faith communities, where individuals may turn to their religious leaders for guidance and support during times of crisis. Recognizing and addressing this issue is important for creating safe spaces where victims can seek help without fear of judgment or stigma. Religious leaders play a vital role in this context, as they often serve as trusted confidants and spiritual advisors. They are uniquely positioned to offer emotional and spiritual support while also connecting survivors with resources and professional assistance. By fostering an environment of openness and empathy, religious leaders can help break the cycle of silence surrounding domestic violence within faith communities.

The North Carolina Interfaith Alliance Against Domestic Violence has the primary purpose of equipping religious institutions and leaders with training, resources, and advocate contacts to enable them to respond to domestic violence situations using survivor-centered and trauma-informed care. The North Carolina Council of Churches is the primary facilitator for the Interfaith Alliance, enabling people of all faiths in North Carolina to work for loving and safe relationships that are rooted in the love of God and each other.

Overview

The scriptures instruct us to love one another – to create mutually respectful relationships in which there is shared responsibility, negotiation and fairness, trust and support, honesty and accountability.  When violence is present in a relationship, it is a violation against the image of God in which we all have been created.  As people of faith, we must be prepared to walk with survivors as they find a way to safety. However, we do not always have the tools we need when this situation is encountered.

The North Carolina Council of Churches recognizes the urgent need to train and support religious leaders in aiding victims of domestic violence, as research indicates that nearly 75% of congregants would turn to their religious leaders when facing intimate partner violence, yet 78% of these leaders feel unprepared to address such situations, highlighting a critical gap in support. Additionally, the overlap between child abuse and domestic violence in the same family is significant as 60% of families who present with partner violence also report child maltreatment.

Key Contact

Mary Peacock, Domestic Violence Advocate

Mary Peacock considers herself a Carolinian, having grown up in South Carolina and settled in the “far North Carolina.” She earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Florida and spent 25 years in the chemicals industry. She is delighted to focus on people with her second career. Mary is a survivor of domestic violence and now works to empower other survivors and their support networks through training, resources, and faith. She lives in Durham and is proud to call herself a “cat lady.” She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and loves to hike, crochet, garden and read theology or science fiction.
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The Interfaith Alliance is guided by an advisory board of faith leaders who are active in domestic violence advocacy. Special thanks to them for their time and dedication!  

  • The Rev. Richard Goeres (Sr. Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran)
  • Artie Hartsell (MSW, Director of Strategic Projects at EqualityNC, MDiv in process)
  • The Rev. Kim Moss (MDiv, MSW, Sr Pastor AME, VP NC-NAACP)
  • The Rev. Carrie Nettles (MDiv, Chaplain Julie Valentine Center)
  • Ms. Saidah Sudan (Manager, Baitul Hemayah Domestic Violence Shelter; DV Project Lead, Penny Appeal; NC Trainer, Peaceful Families).
  • The Rev. Kelli Walker-Jones (MDiv, retired Center Director TPC)