Summer 2022 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center
A Collaboration for Empowerment
Women: Gift of God event was a success!
Justice for Women
is a grassroots movement for social justice and systemic change, especially for women living in poverty. Women’s Justice Circles empower women to identify issues of concern in their community and act for change.
Together We Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Women and Our Community as a Whole!
Bound Brook, NJ – Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. The Circle appreciated that their audience felt comfortable Domestic violence includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial, enough to ask questions, were able to learn more about the services and other forms of abuse. This abuse is marked by one person available, and how to ask for help. The Circle is satisfied with the establishing power and control over another, usually within the work they have completed and hopes that more faith communities context of an intimate relationship. In Bound Brook, NJ there is a can serve as advocates to end domestic violence. large population of immigrants, specifically from Central and Latin America. However, domestic violence services are almost unheard of, especially services provided in Spanish. As a result, immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence can find themselves facing additional forms of abuse and barriers when trying to access services. Immigration status can also be used as an additional weapon of power and control. Due to the fear of deportation when reporting domestic violence to law enforcement, a victim of domestic violence that is undocumented can become more vulnerable to staying with an abuser. Thus, the Justice Circle from St. Joseph’s church created a panel discussion, in Spanish, to bring education and awareness to immigrant women in their community. The Circle invited an accredited immigration representative and two domestic violence advocates, who work in the county, to be their panel experts at their event titled Women: Gift of God. Additionally, they invited their pastor to lead an opening talk on women’s empowerment. Monsignor Kerrigan opening the panel discussion at St. Joseph’s church.
El evento Mujer: Regalo de Dios fue un éxito! Bound Brook, NJ – Cualquiera puede ser víctima de violencia doméstica. Esta puede ser física, emocional, sexual, financiera o de otro tipo. El abuso se caracteriza por el poder que una persona tiene sobre la otra, dentro del contexto de una relación íntima. En Bound Brook, Nueva Jersey, hay una gran población de inmigrantes, específicamente de Centroamérica y Latinoamérica, pero casi no hay servicios para casos de violencia doméstica, y menos en español. Como resultado, las inmigrantes víctimas de violencia doméstica enfrentan formas adicionales de abuso y barreras cuando quieren acceder a los servicios. El estatus legal del inmigrante también puede ser usado como un arma adicional de poder y control. Por miedo a la deportación si reportan violencia doméstica a la policía, una víctima indocumentada
de violencia doméstica tiene mayores probabilidades de quedarse con el abusador. El Círculo de Mujeres para la Justicia de la iglesia San José organizó un panel en español, a fin de informar y generar conciencia entre las mujeres inmigrantes de su comunidad. El Círculo invitó a un representante acreditado de la oficina de inmigración y dos expertos en violencia doméstica que trabajan en el condado. El panel se denominó Mujer: Regalo de Dios. Además, invitaron a Monseñor Kerrigan para que iniciara la conversación sobre el empoderamiento de mujeres. El Círculo apreció que las asistentes sentían confianza para hacer preguntas sobre cómo pedir ayuda y utilizar los servicios disponibles. El Círculo quedó satisfecho con el trabajo realizado y espera que más comunidades de fe promuevan acabar con la violencia doméstica.