Aired 2011-12. Produced by Diva Communications
I Believe You: Faiths’ Response to Intimate Partner Violence, is an extraordinary interfaith documentary that explores the stories of survivors of abuse and the response of faith groups to address their needs.
Produced with the support of The New York Board of Rabbis, United Methodist Women, Presbyterian Women, the Evangelical Church in America, Odyssey Networks and a consortium of Muslim organizations, this one-hour program, features the music of Janis Ian.
From rural programs such as the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center in Missouri to urban programs such as First Step in Michigan, from prevention programs such as Healthy Relationships held at Camp Herzl in Wisconsin, to recognition programs like the Mikveh Attendants program in New Jersey, from support groups at Emma’s Place in Minnesota to healing programs at Mayyim Hayyim in Massachusetts, faith groups are exploring ways to support, advocate for and help aid the healing of those who have been harmed by abuse.
The program is filled with the hard won wisdom of survivors and the insight and understanding of clergy and program leaders including:
The Reverend Barbara Certa-Werner, Executive Director, Harbor House; Antonia Clemente, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Trinity Healing Center; Rabbi Mark Dratch, Founder, JSAFE; The Reverend Dr. Marie M. Fortune, Founder FaithTrust Institute; Rabbi Lisa Gelber, Associate Dean, The Rabbinical School, The Jewish Theological Seminary; Rabbi Diana Gerson, Executive Director of Dayenu, Enough Silence!; Imam Khalid Latif, Executive Director, The Islamic Center, NYU, and Chaplain, NYPD; Robina Niaz, Founder and Executive Director, The Turning Point- Services for Muslim Women and Families; Harriett Jane Olson, Chief Executive Officer, United Methodist Women; Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark, Founder, The Rave Project (Religion and Violence E-Learning Project); The Reverend Diane Smalley, survivor and former Co-Moderator, Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence; The Reverend Ann Tiemeyer, Program Director, Women’s Ministry, National Council of Churches; Reverend Traci C. West, Ph.D., author, Wounds of the Spirit: Black Women, Violence, and Racism. It has been said that if people of faith do not advocate for justice, we are complicit in the perpetuation of this crisis. I Believe You: Faiths’ Response to Intimate Partner Violence goes a long way to give voice to the stories of survivors, make clear the assistance faith groups can provide, and offer encouragement and direction for women trapped in abusive relationships.
I Believe You: Faiths’ Response to Intimate Partner Violence is made possible in part by the generous support of Odyssey Networks, United Methodist Women, The New York Board of Rabbis, National Council of Churches USA, Presbyterian Women, and ELCA Women''s Ministry and ELCA Justice for Women Program.