Opening Prayer: God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, and always just: You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Brief Explanation: What is Domestic Violence? (Source: How can we help to end violence in Catholic families by Dr Chistauria Welland)
Domestic violence is behavior by a spouse, intimate partner, or ex-partner that causes physical,
sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological abuse
and controlling behaviors. It is also called intimate partner violence, to distinguish it from other kinds
of abuse that happen in a domestic setting, but in this booklet we will use the term domestic violence
throughout, as it is in common use.
Types of domestic violence:
 Physical abuse: hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, scratching, use of a weapon, etc.
 Sexual abuse: violent rape, coerced sexual relations, any unwanted sexual behavior
 Emotional abuse: insults, name-calling, mind-games, putdowns
 Economic abuse: denying access and information regarding finances, taking property and
money spouse earns, spending household money on alcohol and drugs and depriving the
family
 Controlling Behaviors and Social Isolation: not allowing the spouse (or children) to be in
contact with family, friends, and associates; not allowing spouse to work or better family
situation. Keeping spouse in the house against their will; imprisonment.
 Intimidation: threats to hurt or kill the spouse, to kill oneself if spouse tries to leave, to
report her/him to authorities if undocumented; threats against the children.
 Religious abuse: misusing Catholic teaching or Scripture to justify domination and abuse;
forcing the spouse to practice your faith, or denying her/him the freedom to practice her/his
own faith.

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