Season 5 Episode 12: Challenging the Gospel of Sacrifice: Faith, Domestic Abuse & Institutional Transformation
About This Episode
What if the institutions we turn to for solace are also the ones trapping us in cycles of harm? That’s the challenging reality we confront in our latest episode featuring Reverend Geneece Goertzen, affectionately known as Rev. Gen. A survivor of domestic violence herself, Rev. Gen brings a deeply personal perspective to the table, sharing insights from her book Taking it Seriously: A Faith Leader’s Guide to Domestic Violence. Her story is not just one of survival but also transformation as she navigates the complex role of religious institutions in both supporting and, at times, failing their communities.
The episode takes a hard look at institutional betrayal within faith communities. Often, religious institutions prioritize their preservation over the well-being of individuals, inadvertently perpetuating abuse. We explore the cultural dynamics that contribute to this betrayal and the severe impact it has on survivors’ mental health and faith. By addressing these systemic issues, we aim to uncover how these institutions can evolve to offer genuine support and protection to those in need rather than acting as barriers to justice and healing.
Finally, Ruth, David, and Rev. Gen discuss how to challenge traditional gender roles and societal norms that can exacerbate domestic violence. Together, we explore what a new reality might look like: What if these same institutions could shift their focus to how domestic abuse perpetrators’ behaviors threaten their own spiritual health, the spiritual health of the family, and their religious community?
Rev. Gen provides practical advice for faith leaders on how they can be allies to victims, highlighting the importance of comprehensive education and the integration of licensed therapists into faith communities. Through this episode, we envision a path toward transformation, where love, acceptance, and support genuinely resonate within religious frameworks.
Additional Resources
Safe & Together Institute’s Ally Guide
Safe & Together Institute’s domestic abuse–informed trainings
Safe & Together Institute’s upcoming events
David Mandel’s book Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to Transform the Way We Keep Children Safe from Domestic Violence