SQWM Interfaith Toolkit to Combat Gender-Based Violence

I N T E R - F A I T H

TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES

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LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........................PAGE 1 ABOUT SOUTH QUEENS WOMEN'S MARCH........................................PAGE 2 WHAT IS INTIMATE-PARTNER VIOLENCE..................................................PAGE 3 EQUALITY WHEEL........................................PAGE 4 HOW THE PANDEMIC INCREASED GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES?...................................PAGE 5-6 OUR RESPONSE TO GBV DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC...................................PAGE 7 WHY FAITH LEADERS ARE NEEDED IN THE FIGHT TO END GBV & WHAT FAITH LEADERS CAN DO TO SUPPORT VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF GBV..............................PAGE 8 TOOLS TO ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE WITH YOUR CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY.................PAGE 9 RESOURCES FOR FAITH LEADERS..........................................PAGE 10 SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS PASSAGES, AND ART SUPPORTING GENDER EQUITY AND SURVIVOR HEALING.............................PAGE 11-29 TAKE THE PLEDGE.......................................PAGE 30 SOURCES...................................................PAGE 31

“SALVATION IS THE INSURRECTIONARY AND REVOLUTIONARY PROCESS OF CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO AND DEMANDING EQUALITY AND INCLUSION.” ―

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Letter from our Founder and Executive Director

First and foremost, I want to thank every individual and faith leader who contributed to the creation of this toolkit. We wanted this document to be reflective of the diversity of our community, and that would only have been possible with your insight and support.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, South Queens Women’s March has been on the frontlines connecting and providing our community members with the resources they need to survive this difficult time. The economic impact that COVID-19 has had on South Queens can be felt in homes across our neighborhoods, and has contributed to toxic relationships festering, healthy boundaries shattering, and gender-based violence rising. Sheltering in place has resulted in individuals literally being trapped with their abusers, more isolated than ever before, and more financially strained.

Even before the pandemic, faith-based institutions were leaned on heavily by community members for solace and comfort. This reigns even more true now given the circumstances we are in. Faith leaders had already been viewed as de facto counselors during family crises. In the absence of equitable access to mental health resources (or the reticence towards accessing such resources), faith leaders have often been contacted for intervention in intimate partner violence situations. The same remains true to this day. However, faith leaders in South Queens have repeatedly voiced that they are ill-equipped with the tools necessary to be advocates for change as it pertains to genderbased violence. Moreover, Scripture has too often been used to facilitate patriarchy in our communities as opposed to dismantling it.

What can we do to be advocates for gender equity in our community? How can we flip the narratives such that faith can be a tool for systemic change?

It begins with us. South Queens Women's March is releasing this toolkit which we hope can be used by diverse faith leaders across South Queens to promote gender equity, whether in their virtual services, in-person congregational worship, or during times of crisis intervention. South Queens is the home to many immigrants across the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions. The toolkit features content that uplifts how faith can indeed be feminist, and how faith can be used to promote women's empowerment, and denounce gender-based violence.

Faith leaders are trusted extensions of families in our community. Faith institutions play a critical role in fostering safety and security in our neighborhoods while simultaneously providing the spiritual guidance to meet congregants’ needs. It is our hope that this toolkit will make your roles easier, and that survivors everywhere can find resilience and strength through the passages herein.

It is our hope that faith can be used as a catalyst for systemic change.

May all be safe, well, and happy Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Esq. Founder & Director South Queens Women’s March

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About South Queens Women's March South Queens Women’s March was founded in the aftermath of a series of murders occurring to women in our South Queens community at the hands of their intimate partners.

Inspired by global and national women’s rights movements, we amplify the voices of South Queens’ diverse women. We are an all-volunteer multi-generational, intersectional platform working to foster women’s empowerment through dismantling norms, practices, and institutions that support patriarchy and gender injustice. Over the course of our existence, we have taken our sisterhood to the streets to unify women and gender non-conforming individuals in our community and connect them to the tools and resources necessary to empower their own lives and thrive.

It is our long-term vision to create a world free of violence, injustice, and oppression; a world where all people are on equitable footing, in the home, the workplace, in houses of worship, and in our larger community spaces.

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What is intimate-partner violence?

Domestic violence (DV) is a pattern of economic, emotional, physical and sexual abuse and other behaviors intended to exert power and control, committed against members of the same family or household or individuals who are or have been in an intimate relationship.

Domestic violence and intimate partner violence occur in all settings and among all cultural, religious and socioeconomic groups, but disproportionately affect women, racial and ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Victims of DV often feel stuck in abusive relationships, as any action they take may have immediate and disruptive consequences for them and their family. For this reason, many DV victims tend to minimize or hide their abuse.

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How the pandemic increased gender-based violence in our communities?

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that domestic and genderbased violence would likely increase as distancing measures were put in place and people were encouraged to stay home. With domestic violence labeled as “the pandemic within the pandemic” and in line with reports suggesting that cases of domestic and genderbased violence have increased exponentially across the globe, directives aimed to promote "sheltering-in-place" and "social distancing" have uniquely impacted victims and survivors seeking safety. Many have been cut-off from support systems and have been privy to an increased burden of household work, a disruption of their livelihoods, restricted access to healthcare, legal aid, and the freedom of movement. Early reports revealed that victims may be hesitant to report crimes due to fear or an inability to socially distance from their abusers.

In an effort to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio instituted several measures that effectively amount to a stay-at-home order. For DV survivors and others who are at risk of experiencing domestic violence, staying home can mean being trapped with an abuser, socially isolated and without any means of escape or support.

Due to the financial strains and the stressful nature of social distancing and quarantine measures, DV experts warned that “rates and severity of abuse will surge as public officials and communities try to stem the spread of the novel Coronavirus.” For victims in some European countries where the pandemic struck earlier, the threat of being exposed to infection itself was “a very direct obstacle to getting help” that led victims to “decide not to seek medical attention for fear of contagion.” Studies have shown that abusers are more likely to murder their partners and others in the wake of personal crises, including lost jobs or major financial setbacks.

On April 24, 2020, Governor Cuomo confirmed New York State’s dangerous uptick in domestic violence incidents and introduced a new text program to support victims of abuse.

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How the pandemic increased gender-based violence in our communities? (cont'd) As of December 7, 2020. COVID-19 had claimed the lives of over 24,000 NYC residents. Amidst the pandemic, experts have suggested that DV victims may be experiencing reluctance to seek help.

Indeed, preliminary NYC data suggests that call numbers to DV hotlines have fallen. Since selfquarantine and official shutdown measures began in mid-March, the NYPD has reported significant decreases in crime across almost every category of crime, including DV crimes. It is not clear whether this is driven by reluctance or inability of complainants to report DV crimes, or is instead a true decrease in the occurrence of DV crimes.

COVID-19 has had a harmful impact on the lives of the women in our community by amplifying the challenges they faced prior to the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, these women faced multiple obstacles when seeking domestic violence services, including linguistic barriers as well as the absence of culturally competent domestic violence services in our neighborhoods.

Their situation is compounded by poverty; the absence of close relatives or support networks; denial or misunderstanding about the causes, prevalence, dynamics, and issues of domestic violence; as well as a lack of knowledge about victims’ rights and legal protection available to them. Now, as New York collectively works to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many women and children are stuck at home with their abuser. Social isolation has become a powerful tool in the hands of abusers who exploit this situation to further control their victim. And, when the abuser and the victim are both out of work and confined to the home all day, often in very small living quarters, there is little opportunity for a victim/survivor to seek help without being discovered by the abuser. Survivors may be even more isolated now and may be in physical danger. Many survivors who safely left their abusers and no longer reside with them may have just been getting back on their feet when the pandemic struck. They had secured housing and found work (often in daycare, retail, and other sectors that are now closed). Now, with so many working class and lowincome individuals out of work, survivors in our community find themselves facing great uncertainty about moving forward and making ends meet, including paying for their rent, utilities, groceries, etc. The pandemic has disrupted their momentum and presents a real threat to both their short-term and long-term stability. Some survivors are looking to community-based organizations like ours for assistance to meet basic needs, including but not limited to food and groceries.

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Our Response to GBV During the COVID-19 Pandemic Thus far during the pandemic, South Queens Women’s March (SQWM) has supported thousands of community members by curbing food insecurity and period poverty through our own pop-up pantries as well as giveaways held in collaboration with local community partners. We have provided culturally responsive groceries, personal protective equipment (PPE), and menstrual supplies to underserved black and brown communities in South Queens.

Additionally we hosted nine healthy relationships workshops in 2020, addressing the qualities of a healthy relationship vs. a toxic relationship, how to connect healthily during COVID-19, including establishing healthy boundaries, how to foster self-love and combat bullying, how to intervene when witnessing street harassment (in collaboration with Hollaback! and L'oreal Paris), how to have healthy intimate/sexual relationships (in collaboration with Babeland Toys) and how to implement safety planning during the holiday season, a time during which anecdotally, we know that incidence of gender-based violence can rise for various reasons, including financial strains and an increased number of group gatherings. Hundreds of community members attended our workshops, demonstrating a real need for the content to address gender based violence and healthy relationships. The workshops brought together community activists, students, professors, healing justice coaches, and healthy relationship coaches to help support an under-resourced community that continues to witness the death of many members to gender-based violence.

SQWM also hosted a series of free virtual classes to support the wellness and healing of women, girls and gender fluid people in our community. The classes utilized dance and movement native to the various immigrant enclaves of South Queens and included Bhangra, Socacize, Bollywood, yoga and meditation.

Finally, recognizing the power of art to cope with trauma from gender-based violence, SQWM hosted an in-person socially-distanced “Arts as Healing” paint night for survivors of gender-based violence.

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Why Faith Leaders Are Needed in the Fight to End GBV

Faith leaders, including priests, pandits, pastors, rabbis, swamis, granthis, imams, monks, nuns, reverends, ministers and more, are often sought out for their advice, both spiritual and moral. Faith leaders play an important role not only as extensions of an individual’s family and trusted guides, but as voices of moral authority. Too often, faith is used as a mechanism to perpetuate patriarchy and the oppression of women, girls and LGBTQ people. Too often Scripture and religion are used as justifications to uphold violent relationships (especially marriages). Given their sphere of influence, faith leaders can play the critical role of holding abusers accountable and in shifting broader societal narratives. Faith leaders also can advocate for policies that address domestic violence, including the allocation of resources to support survivors in their healing journeys.

What Faith Leaders Can Do to Support Victims and Survivors of GBV

Believe victims and survivors Get to know local service providers so that you have a support system if and when approached by a victim of domestic violence who needs help Speak out about domestic violence when you can, including and especially when delivering sermons and messages to your congregation Integrate theology that fosters gender equity and women’s empowerment Use your own influence to speak out against gender-based violence Recognize when you are not equipped to support a victim or survivor and refer them to the appropriate professionals or programs Hold abusers accountable Prioritize the safety of the victim or survivor and their children, even if that warrants the end of a marital relationship Maintain strict confidentiality with a domestic violence victim who confides in you unless breaking confidentiality is required to prevent further harm Practice your own self care so that you are physically and mentally strong to face GBV situations and to be an ally JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Tools to address gender-based violence with your congregation and community

Addressing gender-based violence is the religious service of faith leaders and members of the clergy. Faith leaders are uniquely positioned to support community members through their healing journey. It should be noted that every county in New York State (NYS) has at least one domestic violence program licensed by the state’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). These professionals can be a resource for faith leaders, as they are trained to address a victims’ safety, legal, and advocacy needs. Faith leaders are encouraged to refer victims to professionals who specialize in victim services, and instead use their expertise to help victims heal and survive spiritually at a time when victims can be particularly vulnerable and in need of community support and societal acceptance. Information about domestic violence programs in every county can be found by visiting http://www.nyscadv.org/statewide-dv-directory/ and/or by calling the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906.

SCENARIOS TO GUIDE WHEN A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SEEKS YOUR HELP: IF: A victim tells you of domestic violence and at any time you have reason to believe that they or their children are in danger, have been harmed, or are being prevented from seeking safety THEN: Call the non-emergency police line and let them know you are concerned for the welfare of the person, request a “welfare check,” and follow up with the victim/police to make sure that they are out of danger.

IF: A victim needs to leave home because they are afraid of their partner THEN: Ask how you can help and whether they want you to call 911. Refer them to the local domestic violence hotline. Offer assistance with transportation. Let them know they can call you for support. Knowing that their faith community is supportive could make the difference in whether they stay or leave.

IF: A victim needs information or counseling about domestic violence THEN: Refer them to the local domestic violence service provider. Offer to meet with them and the domestic violence advocate so that you can find out more about how to be helpful and follow up with domestic violence provider as needed.

IF: You see signs of domestic violence in a parishioner/congregant (man, woman, or child) THEN: Talk to the victim alone and assess the situation. Find out what they want done and whether they need your help. Refer to the local domestic violence provider.

IF: A victim wants to know how to file charges or get an order of protection THEN: Refer to the local domestic violence service provider.

IF: A congregant is in the domestic violence “system” (legal, counseling, etc.) and wants your help THEN: Find out how you can help and, if appropriate, get written permission to contact the “system” on person’s behalf and get involved as directed by victim and provide continued support. Follow victim’s lead.

Source: Domestic Violence and Faith Communities: Guidelines for Leaders, New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence | Governor’s Office of Faith Based Community Development Services

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Resources for Faith Leaders

Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Law Project: 718-834-7430 ext. 1101 Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) Sanctuary for Families (Free Legal Helpline): 212-349-6009 ext. 246 New York Legal Assistance Group (Legal Resource Hotline): 929-356-9582 Legal Services of New York (Legal Services Hotline): 917-661-4500, multiple languages available.

Day One New York (Hotline): 800-214-4150 New York City Family Justice Centers: The NYC Family Justice Centers operated by EndGBV provide vital social services, civil legal and criminal justice assistance, and more—all under one roof. The Family Justice Centers can help with safety planning, mental health and counseling services to support emotional well-being for a victim and their children, referrals to education programs, including workshops to help with budgeting, credit repair, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, meeting with trained law enforcement, such as NYPD, NYC Sheriff’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office, applying for shelter, housing and other support services, information about public benefits and job training programs, including help with resume writing and interviewing skills, legal consultations for orders of protection, custody, visitation, child support, divorce, housing and immigration (though legal representation is not guaranteed). All services are voluntary.

Bronx County: 718-508-1220 Kings County: 718-250-5113 New York County: 212-602-2800 Queens County: 718-575-4545 Richmond County: 718-697-4300 New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence List of state-wide domestic violence programs 24 Hour Hotline (English & español/Multi-language accessibility): 1-800-942-6906 or 711 for Deaf or Hard of Hearing New York State Chat/Text hotline: Text at 844.997.2121 / Chat: https://opdv.ny.gov/chat.htmlo National Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 National Deaf Hotline Videophone 9am-5pm M-F 1-855-812-1001 or deafhelp@thehotline.org For LGBTQ+ identifying youth looking for support, services or programs, call The Center at 212-620-7310 or visit www.gaycenter.org For information about runaway and homeless youth services, academic programs and youth employment, call Youth Connect at 1-800-246-4646 or email youthconnect@dycd.nyc.gov

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Spiritual Reflections Passages, and Art Supporting Gender Equity and Survivor Healing

Hindu Islamic Christian Sikh Buddhist Jewish JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Hindu Passages

"I am the Queen, the gatherer-up of treasures, most thoughtful, first of those who merit worship. Thus Gods have established me in many places with many homes to enter and abide in. Through me alone all eat the food that feeds them,-each man who sees, breathes, hears the word outspoken They know it not, yet I reside in the essence of the Universe. Hear, one and all, the truth as I declare it.

I, verily, myself announce and utter the word that gods and men alike shall welcome. Whomever I love, I make strong. I bend the bow for Rudra that his arrow may strike and slay the hater of devotion.

I rouse and order battle for the people, I created Earth and Heaven and reside as their inner controller.

On the world's summit I bring forth the Father: my home is in the waters, in the ocean. Thence I pervade all existing creatures, as their Inner Supreme Self, and manifest them with my body. I created all worlds at my will, without any higher being, and permeate and dwell within them. The eternal and infinite consciousness is I, it is my greatness dwelling in everything." — Rigveda 10.125.3 - 10.125.8, also known as the Devi Sukta “O women! These mantras are given to you equally as to men. May your thoughts, too, be harmonious.

May your assemblies be open to all without discrimination. Your mind and consciousness should be harmonious. I give you these mantras equally as to men and give you all and equal powers to absorb the full powers of these mantras.”

— Rigveda 10-191-3; Source: Anantanand Rambachan, A Hindu Theology of Liberation

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“O scholarly woman, the way a river breaks away mightiest of hills and rocks, the scholarly woman destroys myths and hypes through her intellect alone. May we bow to women through our polite words and noble actions.”

— Rigveda 6.61.2 “All forms of knowledge are aspects of Thee, and all women throughout the world are Thy forms.” — Devi Mahatmya “Parents should gift their daughter intellectuality and power of knowledge when she leaves for the husband’s home. They should give her a dowry of knowledge.”

— Rig Veda 10.85.7 "O woman, you are invincible! You are victorious. May you conquer your adversaries.

May you overcome the hostile forces against you. You possess heroic Shakti (power) a thousand times over. May you awaken the Shakti in me." — Yajur Veda 13:26 "The wicked one treats me as a helpless woman, but I am mother of brave sons, wife of Lord Indra and a friend of the Maruts. Indra is superior to all." — Rig Veda 10.8.6.9 "May all members of the family be endowed with the highest spiritual knowledge such as that aquired by scholars, to prevent antagonism towards each other or arouse hosptility and rebellion in their ranks."

— Atharva Veda iii.30.4 "O God, Thou art the protector of all and look upon all equally and impartially. Thou art Lord of all regions. In all struggles, internal or external, and on joyous occasions we call on Thee." — Sama Veda, Uttara Prapa 4.1

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Art by: Movina Seepersaud and Pt. Luvindra Persaud of Swastivaatika JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Art by: Movina Seepersaud and Pt. Luvindra Persaud of Swastivaatika JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Islamic Passages

“And among God’s signs is this: He created for you mates from amongst yourselves (males […] for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquility and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect.” — Qur’an, 30: 21 “Observe your duty to Allah in respect to the women, and treat them well.” — Prophet Muhammed’s Last Sermon Get rid of the hardship and heal, O Lord of the People, you are the Healer, and there is no healing of disease like Yours. Let it be healing that is not betrayed by sickness. - Prophet Muhammad O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Quran), and a healing for that (disease) which is in your hearts.” — Quran 10:57 Muhammad’s Prayer of Light O God, give me light in my heart and light in my tongue and light in my hearing and light in my sight and light in my feeling and light in all body and light before me and light behind me.Give me, I pray Thee, Light on my right hand And light on my left hand And light above meAnd light beneath me,O Lord,Increase light within me And give me light And illuminate me.

A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: "Your mother."

The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: "Then your mother." The man further asked, ‘Then who?'

The Prophet said: "Then your mother." The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: "Then your father." — Bukhari, Muslim "Lodge them [women] where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them. And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth... and take mutual counsel together according to what is just and reasonable..." — Quran: Surah at-Talaq 65:6 O humankind! We have created you from a single male and female, and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. [Qur’an 49: 13] And when the infant girl [who was] buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed. [Qur’an 81: 8-9]

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. — Qur’an 9: 71

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Art by: Eman Wasef JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Art by: Soufeina Hamed

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Christian Passages

"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns." ~Psalm 46:5 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." ~ Proverbs 31:25 "She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her." ~ Proverbs 3:15 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10 "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." ~ 3 John 1:2 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." ~ Revelations 21:4 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~ John 14:27

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"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." ~ Psalms 23 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." ~ Ephesians 5:25 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." ~ 1 Peter 3:7 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30

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Art by: Zelieandlou

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Art by: Zelieandlou JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Buddhist Healing Chant

Just as the soft rains fill the streams, Pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans, So may the power of every moment of your goodness Flow forth to awaken and heal all beings, Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come. By the power of every moment of your goodness May your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled As completely shining as the bright full moon, As magically as by a wishfulfilling gem. By the power of every moment of your goodness May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone. May no obstacle come across your way. May you enjoy fulfillment and long life. For all in whose heart dwells respect, Who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way, May your life prosper in the four blessings Of old age, beauty, happiness, and strength.

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses. May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free. May the powerless find power and may people think of befriending one another. May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wildernesses— the children, the aged, the unprotected—be guarded by beneficent celestials, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

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Art by: Kalsang Damchoe & The Kalsang Tibetan Traditional Art of Thangka Painting studio

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Art by: Kalsang Damchoe & The Kalsang Tibetan Traditional Art of Thangka Painting studio

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Jewish Passages

Jewish tradition teaches all people were created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of the divine, and that our health and our bodies are gifts from God that we are to protect and nurture. ~Genesis 1:27

I’m Done Dressing up for You I’m done dressing up for you, I’m done dressing up for you So long I’m done, I’m done dressing up for you You gave me a golden crown, you gave me a golden crown

We must not “stand idly by the blood of a neighbor.” ~Leviticus 19:16

Sometimes a golden crown just wears a person down I’m done dressing up for you…

You say those people are your friends, you say those people are your friends Where those people gonna be when the party ends I’m done dressing up for you…Go get yourself a pretty new wife, get yourself a pretty new wife I’ll walk out that door and get myself a life I’m done dressing up for you…

Rami b. Hama said in the name of R. Assi: "It is forbidden for a man to compel his wife to fulfill the mitzvah [to have sexual relations], as it is said 'and he that hastens with his feet sins." ~Proverbs 19:2 If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when? ~ Rabbi Hillel And thus the sages commanded that a man should honor his wife more than he honors himself, and love her as he loves himself. And if

An original fiddle tune based on the Purim story, specifically a midrash that when the King commanded Queen Vashti to appear at his feast wearing her royal crown, he really meant for her to wear nothing but her royal crown.

he has money, he should increase her benefits

(Vashti – Book of Esther 1)

according to his wealth. He should not intimidate her too much; he should speak with her gently, and should be neither saddened nor angry." ~Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Sefer Nashim, 15:19

“One who injures another person is liable on five counts (that is, responsible for paying for five factors): for the injury itself, for pain, for healing, for loss of time, and for embarrassment." ~ Bava Kamma 8:1

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Art by Sara Novenson JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Art by Sara Novenson

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Sikh Passages

In a woman, man is conceived, From a woman he is born, With a woman he is betrothed and married, With a woman he contracts friendship.

Why denounce her, the one from whom even kings are born ? From a woman a woman is born, None may exist without a woman. -Guru Nanak You are the Ocean of Water, and I am Your fish.

Your Name is the drop of water, and I am a thirsty rainbird. You are my hope, and You are my thirst.

My mind is absorbed in You. Just as the baby is satisfied by drinking milk, and the poor person is pleased by seeing wealth, and the thirsty person is refreshed by drinking cool water, so is this mind drenched with delight in the Lord. Just as the darkness is lit up by the lamp, and the hopes of the wife are fulfilled by thinking about her husband, and people are filled with bliss upon meeting their beloved, so is my mind imbued with the Lord's Love. The Saints have set me upon the Lord's Path. By the Grace of the Holy Saint, I have been attuned to the Lord. The Lord is mine, and I am the slave of the Lord. O Nanak, the Guru has blessed me with the True Word of the Shabad. ~ Guru Arjan

O Lord, protect me with Your Hand, thus my heart's desire be fulfilled. May my mind ever seek the refuge of Your Feet, and You sustain me as Your very Own. Lord! destroy all my enemies [diseased passions, instincts, impulses, evil thoughts and protect me with Your Hand.

Thus make my house-hold servants and followers rest in peace. O Lord, extend Your Personal protection to me and kill all my enemies here and now [refers to our countless inner enemies. May my wish be fulfilled and I ever yearn to reflect my mind on You. Lord, Bless me that I should never abandon You and think of any one else. Whatever boons I seek I should obtain from You. Liberate all my servants and followers, pick each and every one and destroy them, who are obstacles in my well being. Pray, ferry me across, giving me Your Hand, and destroy the fear of death in me. O Mighty Lord of the Sword (All Wisdom), be ever at my back, and protect me. ~ excerpted from Chaupai Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: The Pandit - the religious scholar recites the Shaastras and the Simritees; the Yogi cries out, ""Gorakh, Gorakh"". But I am just a fool I just chant the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. I do not know what my condition shall be, Lord. O my mind, vibrate and meditate on the Name of the Lord. You shall cross over the terrifying worldocean. ~ Guru Ram Das JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Art by Ravina Toor

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Art by Ravina Toor

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Calling all faith leaders to take the faith leader pledge to end domestic and gender-based violence

"I pledge to be a proactive agent of change, to aspire to end gender-based violence, and to encourage and educate so that every member of my congregation and community will advocate for gender equity and women's empowerment. �

Name: ____________________________ Role/Title: ________________________ Email: ____________________________ Organization/House of Worship: ___________________________________ JAN 2021 INTERFAITH TOOLKIT TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

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Sources

Note: Domestic violence is one part of a larger continuum of issues related to gender-based violence, which includes intimate partner violence, family violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. See NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (hereinafter “ENDGBV”), Introduction to Domestic Violence & GBV (n.d.), available at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ocdv/services/introduction-to-domestic-violence- and-gender-basedviolence.page; See also Mayo Clinic, Domestic Violence against Women: Recognize Patterns, Seek Help (Feb. 25, 2020), available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in- depth/domestic-violence/art-20048397.

Note: IPV is the specific subset of DV involving individuals who are married, formerly married, have a child in common or have been involved in an intimate relationship.

World Health Organization, Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Women (2012), available athttp://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/77432/WHO_RHR_12.36_eng.pdf?sequence=1.

LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning. Other variations of the acronym include but are not limited to other sexualities such as asexual, demisexual, genderqueer, gender fluid, graysexual, intersex, pansexual and unassigned at birth. See Michael Gold, The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+, THE NEW YORK TIMES (Jun. 21, 2018, updated Jun. 7, 2019), available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/style/lgbtq- genderlanguage.html.

VAWnet: A project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, “The Problem: DV in LGBTQ Communities & Barriers to Safety” (n.d.), available at https://vawnet.org/sc/rates-and-prevalence-dv-lgbtq- communities; See also Ashley Abramson, How COVID-19 may increase domestic violence and child abuse, AMER. PSYCH. SOCIETY (Apr. 8, 20202), available at https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/domestic-violence-child-abuse.

This toolkit utilizes both the terms survivor and victim to reflect that both are used in the field and the context with which they are used by the source being cited. These terms, however, can take on similar but different meanings based on the jurisdiction or organization using them. See e.g., RAINN, Key Terms or Phrases (n.d.), available at https://www.rainn.org/articles/key-terms-and-phrases.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) (n.d.), available athttps://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/providers/resources/public-health-action-kits-ipv.page; See also Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in New York City (Sept. 8, 2008), available at https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/public/ipv-08.pdf.

World Health Organization. COVID-19 and Violence Against Women. March 2020. Available at https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/emergencies/COVID-19-VAW-full-text.pdf.

Megan L. Evans, M.D., M.P.H., Margo Lindauer, J.D., and Maureen E. Farrell, M.D. A Pandemic within a Pandemic — Intimate Partner Violence during Covid-19. New England Journal of Medicine. September 16, 2020. Available at https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2024046.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Press Release: In Face of a Dangerous Uptick of Domestic Violence Incidents, Governor Cuomo Announces New Domestic Violence Text Program and New Confidential Online Service to Aid Victims of Abuse and Provide Potential Lifesaving Ways to Get Help. April 24, 2020. Available at https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/face-dangerous-uptick-domestic-violence-incidents-governor-cuomoannounces-new-domestic.

Equality Wheel adapted from Mayor's Office to End Gender-Based and Domestic Violence, Healthy Relationships Training Academy.

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Special Thanks This toolkit was prepared and compiled by Aminta Kilawan-Narine, designed by Reshma Persaud, and edited by Tannuja Rozario with support and advice from the following community partners to whom we extend our most heartfelt thanks: Henry Goldschmidt from Interfaith Center for New York, Sally MacNichol from CONNECT, Jacqueline Richard, Hasia R. Diner of Goldstein-Goren Center for American Jewish History Nikhil Mandalaparthy from Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus , Milad Momeni from Muslims for Progressive Values NY, Margo Hughes-Robinson of Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue, Pandita Indrani Rampersad, Talia Kaplan of Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson, Rachel Figurasmith of Repair the World NYC, Kyndra Frazier, Simran Jeet Singh, Naureen Akhter, Rabbi Mike Moskowitz of Trans and Queer Jewish Studies at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, and Tasnia Ahamed, LMSW of Turning Point for Women and Families.

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