Description and evaluation of a faith community-based domestic violence pilot program in Forsyth County, NC

We describe a faith community-based initiative that trained local clergy and lay leaders to respond appropriately to domestic violence (DV) within faith communities, to strengthen ties to local secular providers of DV services, and to promote effective prevention, identification, intervention, and treatment of domestic violence in congregations throughout the Winston-Salem, NC, area. Pre and post training surveys of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about DV were administered (n = 49) with six-month follow-up for six trainings. Item analysis was used to confirm item clusters and internal consistency for outcome mediating concepts using a new instrument and changes in individual items related to victim safety were examined. Results indicate statistically significant changes in clergy attitudes, beliefs about and knowledge of domestic violence, and knowledge about responses associated with victim safety.