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WVCADV Hosts Workshop to Strengthen Community Support for DV Survivors

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is hosting a free learning opportunity for West Virginia clergy, lay leaders, and direct service providers in the community who want to strengthen their ability to recognize domestic and sexual abuse in their congregations, and know how best to provide safe and confidential responses.

Intimate partner violence can affect anyone. It does not discriminate. In fact, about one in four people experience some form of intimate partner violence (including physical violence, stalking, or contact sexual violence) during their lives.

The training program will be facilitated by national speakers from Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse, and will focus on strengthening partnerships between service providers and faith communities.  The training will take place at the Four Points Sheraton in Charleston on August 28, 2025, from 9AM – 5PM, with the luncheon provided.

Catering is being sponsored by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

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“The moment a survivor reaches out for help can be the most dangerous, because abusers sense their control is slipping,” said the sponsor. “We want to build a community here in West Virginia where everyone knows how to respond—a community where every door a survivor knocks on to find help is the right door,”

The training and luncheon are free, but seats are limited, and registration is required. Register for the program here: https://secure.wvcadv.org/eventmanager/TrainingEvent/seriesdetails/40

 

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Faith leaders are uniquely placed to reach out to those experiencing abuse and help direct them to services and safety. They just need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so.

Jessica Bender, an Advocacy Director at WVCADV, added.  “When someone is living in fear, they often turn to the people they trust most—and for many survivors, that’s their faith community. Reaching out takes incredible courage. But sometimes, faith leaders feel unprepared in that moment. This program is designed to increase survivor safety in faith communities as well as others working in the field of abuse.”

For more information about the training, please contact Jessica Bender, jbender@wvcadv.org. Continuing education units (CEUs) may be available upon request.

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