HPUMC V.I.P.

HPUMC Offices and CDP will be closed Monday, September 6th, for the Labor Day Holiday.

Congregational Care

Violence Intervention and Prevention

Domestic Violence Support Group:
a monthly lunch designed for women who have experienced domestic violence, whether currently or in the past. Facilitated by Candace Winslow, VIP Ministry Coordinator with a Licensed Counselor from Genesis Women's Shelter. Next lunches are scheduled for August 27, September 17, October 29, November 19, and December 17 at 12 noon in Storm Lounge (Room 241) on 2nd floor. For more information contact Candace at winslowc@hpumc.org.

1 in 4 women will be a victim of family violence in her lifetime.
1 in 3 teens will experience violence in a dating relationship.
50% of men who abuse their wives also abuse their children.
Every 12 seconds a woman is battered in the United States.

Through the Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) Ministry, Highland Park United Methodist will be a church leader in proactively addressing the needs of family violence victims. We will serve as a catalyst to reduce the incidences of violence and abuse and help to break the cycle of family violence in our church and our communities.

Family violence can be physical, sexual and/or psychological attacks. It can take the form of isolation and economic coercion intended to control another person. The victim or the abuser may be a parent, child, spouse, sibling, elderly parent or former/current partner.

By educating our congregation on family violence and abuse, we hope to:

Create an atmosphere of openness and support for victims;
Serve as a conduit for directing anyone in the church to receive help; and
Be known as a “safe church” for anyone who needs help.

The VIP Ministry offers staff training and education, ongoing awareness and education programs, resource referral services, spiritual support and guidance and legal counseling and support services. Our goal is to educate victims on the options available to them and to provide support and guidance as they seek a life free of violence and abuse.

Domestic and family violence has reached epidemic proportions in our country and our communities. Texas leads the nation in deaths as a result of domestic violence and no group is immune to its devastating effects. As a congregation, we represent a strong voice in the community. While we alone cannot eliminate family violence, we can work together to make a difference.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive or threatening situation, call the VIP Ministry at 214.523.2123.

Pull out those old cell phones! VIP is continually collecting phones to be donated to domestic violence agencies in the area. Bring them to the collection box at the information desk located inside the north entrance to the sanctuary.

If someone you love is hurting you and you need help, please call one of the numbers listed below:

Police/Fire/Ambulance+* 911
Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline* 800.799.SAFE (7233)
HPUMC Violence Intervention & Prevention Ministry* (214.523.2123
Dallas Police Department Family Violence Unit* (214.670.7075
Child & Adult Abuse 24-Hour Hotline* 800.252.5400
Family Place Outreach+* 214.941.1991
Genesis Women’s Outreach+* 214.559.2050
Family Violence Legal Line* 800.374.HOPE (4673)

+ Bilingual
* Answered 24 hours/day

Quiz: How is your relationship?
Does your partner…

Embarrass you with bad names and put-downs?
Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
Control what you do, whom you see or talk to or where you go?
Stop you from seeing or talking to friends or family?
Take your money or Social Security, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
Make all the decisions?
Keep you from getting medical help when you are sick or injured?
Force you to have sex against your will?
Tell you you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
Act like the abuse is not a big deal, it’s your fault or even deny doing it?
Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
Intimidate you with guns, knives or other weapons?
Push, shove, slap, kick, strangle or hit you?
Verbally attack or accuse you?
Force you to drop charges?
Threaten to commit suicide?
Threaten to kill you?

* If you’ve answered yes to ANY of these questions, call the VIP Ministry at 214.523.2123, contact a local family violence prevention resource, or call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233).

Helping a Friend

Sometimes a victim’s self-esteem is so damaged by the abuse that she thinks she can’t make it on her own. In many cases, a victim fears for her life. She may want her children to grow up with both parents or feel guilty believing that the abuse is her fault. Or, she may just want the violence to end, not the relationship. Whatever the reason, she needs your support and you can help her by doing the following:

Listen without judging. She may feel responsible, ashamed, inadequate and afraid.
Tell her that it is NOT her fault.
Make sure she knows she is not alone.
Explain that relationship abuse is a crime. She can seek protection from the police, courts and domestic violence programs and shelters.
Encourage her to keep a log or diary of the abuse.
Suggest she develop a safety plan for herself and her children.
Think of ways you can help. If she decides to leave, she may need money, assistance finding a place to live, a place to store her belongings or help finding a safe home for her pets.
Keep yourself safe.

What You Can Do to Help Protect Yourself and Your Children