Faith Leader Postcard

As a faith leader, you can promote healthy relationships.support survivors. foster a congregational culture of respect for all.

Images shows hands reaching up with different religious symbols on them.



Sexual Violence affects people of all faiths.

As a leader of a faith community, you help set the tone for 
how your community responds to this issue. One of the most 
important things you can do is be prepared to address sexual violence 
in your congregation.

Support survivors and prevent sexual violence:

• Believe survivors when they share their stories with you. Assure them 
it wasn’t their fault, no matter the circumstances.

• Train staff, volunteers, and congregants to model healthy behavior 
and boundaries with adults and children.
 
• Organize educational programs on topics like healthy relationships 
and healthy masculinity.

• Collaborate with and support your local rape crisis center. For example, 
post its contact information on bulletin boards.

• Create a victim-centered policy around safe ways for people who 
commit sexual harm to remain part of your congregation. 


Resources

Faith Trust Institute: www.faithtrustinstitute.org 

Religious Institute: www.religiousinstitute.org 

Organizational Assessment for Faith Communities: bit.ly/FaithResource 

Safe Church: www.safechurch.com


© NSVRC 2017. All rights reserved.