Shalom Bayit, "peace in the home", is one of the highest values of Judaism. This is also the value most compromised by domestic violence.
Based on Jewish Women’s International 2004 Needs Assessment we know that:
- Domestic violence in the Jewish communities affects all types of relationships, all socio-economic classes, all ages, and all spectrums of religious and cultural life.
- Jewish women do not usually seek emergency shelter and therefore are left alone to negotiate a system of independent and disconnected programs and services.
- Jewish women are more likely to go to a Rabbi for help and guidance if the Rabbi has previously spoken out about the issue of domestic violence.
Read the FULL REPORT
The following key findings were identified in a 2017 research about domestic violence in the Jewish Communities of the Prairie Provinces:
- 28% of individuals identified as being survivors of abuse. This rate is comparable to statistics of domestic violence in the mainstream community.
- 51% of individuals reported knowing or suspecting an adult they know in the Jewish community was in an abusive relationship.
- The highest reported forms of abuse were emotional (82%) and verbal (70%). These rates are DOUBLE than those reported in the mainstream community.
- Most individuals impacted by abuse turned for support from their friends (67%) and family (43%).
- The three greatest barriers to getting help or leaving an abusive relationship were concerns about disrupting the family (48%), concerns about financial security (48%), and “Shonda”, or shame, associated with domestic violence (38%). Such barriers contribute to a delays in seeking help up to 3 times longer (or 15 years!) by Jewish individuals compared to the mainstream community.
This research was initiated by JFSC and conducted by RESOLVE Alberta. Read the full published research.
JFSC’s Shalom Bayit Program responds to the needs of our clients by providing the following services:
Domestic Violence Support
- Safety planning
- Systems and Resource Navigation
- Advocacy
- Basic Needs
- Community Connections
Clinical Counselling for
- Domestic Violence
- Dating Violence
- Self-esteem
- Challenging family and/or relationship dynamics
- Bullying
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence please contact us at 403.287.3510 or e-mail info@jfsc.org. All calls and inquiries are confidential.
When in crisis, email or other forms of electronic communication are not recommended for getting help. Contact the Calgary Distress Centre at 403.266.4357.
We'd love to hear from you. Please be informed that we will respond to your inquiries as soon as possible. Please refrain from providing personal information via e-mail. We encourage you to call our office whenever possible.