MAking A Difference
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAKING A DIFFERENCE CONFERENCE, POST-CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES, AND LINKS TO ACCESS COMPLETE CONFERENCE PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS
On May 17, 2016, the Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma hosted a conference entitled "Making A Difference: A Faithful Response From Faith Leadership to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault." This event was envisioned and planned by the Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma and funded by the sponsorship of many generous Oklahoma corporations, foundations, and individuals.
Making A Difference was a statewide conference. It was attended by 230 people from the Oklahoma City area and from throughout the State of Oklahoma. Those of myriad faiths attended, including 21 Christian denominations, as well as those from the Bha'i, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist, and Urantia Book Society faith traditions. It is our belief that the Making A Difference Conference had both the largest attendance and the greatest number of faiths represented of any such interfaith domestic violence and sexual assault conference that had, at that time, ever been held in our nation.
The presentations by top-notch, nationally prominent domestic violence and sexual assault professionals provided a foundation of knowledge about these issues as well as guidelines for ways this knowledge can be utilized to assist victims of this violence. Bios and contact information for those making major presentations are contained on the "SPEAKERS" page of this site. A detailed program for the Making a Difference Conference can be found on the "PROGRAM" page of this site.
The post-conference objectives of this redesigned website are to empower faith leaders and others to use this knowledge and understanding:
1. To assist domestic and sexual violence victims who seek their guidance;
2. To create greater awareness and understanding of these issues in their faith
communities and beyond;
3. To help prevent domestic and sexual violence in their congregations and in
the general community.
4. To provide planning assistance for those interested in hosting a similar conference.
LINKS TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Opening Remarks (Carl Rubinstein, M.D.);
Program Overview (Mari Fagin, Ph.D.);
Welcome (OCCC President Jerry Steward);
Opening Prayer: The Very Reverend Paul S. Coakley
(Archbishop of Archdiocese of OKC)
Domestic Violence 101 (Deb Stanaland)
The Profile and Tactics of Men Who Abuse Women (Lundy Bancroft)
Emotional Injury and Recovery in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (Lundy Bancroft)
Welcome and Pre-Lunch Blessing (Mick Cornett, Mayor of Oklahoma City)
Panel: Accessing Area Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Rev. Janie Kirt Morris, Moderator; Bill Citty, OKC Police Chief; Lesley March, Asst. Okla. Attorney General; Deb Stanaland, Chief Officer of YWCA Support Services)
Domestic Violence: A Faithful Response (Julie Owens)
HANDOUTS
Domestic Violence Risk Assessment
Multi-Faith Resources
A Collaborative Community
Response to Domestic Violence
Objectives of This Presentation
Christian Resources
Domestic Violence Policy Samples
Biblical Equality Resources
Jewish Resources
Other Things You Can Do
Denominational Statements
and Declarations
Muslim Resources
Closing Reflections
NOTE
All of the presentations at the Making A Difference Conference were professionally taped, with the exception of Julie Owens' presentation. Her presentation had been contracted through the FaithTrust Institute, and, as its subcontractor, Ms. Owens' presentation used the curriculum of the FaithTrust Institute. Thus, since the FaithTrust Institute does not permit taping of presentations containing its curriculum, it was not possible to tape Ms. Owens' presentation.
Soon after the Making A Difference Conference, a decision was made by the Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma to arrange for Ms. Owens to return to Oklahoma City at a later date to make a taped presentation of a curriculum she designed specifically to complement the other taped Making A Difference Conference presentations.
On January 9, 2017, Ms. Owens returned to Oklahoma City and made a presentation designed specifically to build on the foundation of knowledge laid by the morning presentations at the Making A Difference Conference on May 17, 2016. The objective of this presentation was to empower faith leaders to use this knowledge and understanding:
1. To assist domestic and sexual violence victims who seek their guidance;
2. To create greater awareness and understanding of these issues in their faith communities and beyond;
3. To help prevent domestic and sexual violence in their congregations and in the general community.
ADDITONAL RESOURCES
A Pastor's Personal Perspective
The State of New Hampshire
Faith Communities:
Domestic Violence Protocol (2007)
A listing of Oklahoma and National Victim Services Resources is available at the following website: