Resources

“Ending Domestic Abuse: A Guide for Mosques and the Muslim Community” – 2021, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Partnership

Category: Faith Studies to Prevent GBV

The guide "Ending Domestic Abuse: A Guide for Mosques and the Muslim Community" emphasises that domestic abuse is contrary to Islamic principles of compassion, justice, and mutual respect in family relationships. An introduction to abuse:
 Forced marriage and spotting the signs
 What Imams can do to eradicate abuse
 Myths about domestic abuse
 How victims can find support and help
 How Mosques can respond
 Useful numbers

Key suggestions include:
 Education and Awareness: Training imams and community leaders to recognise abuse and provide guidance rooted in Islamic values.
 Victim Support: Establishing safe spaces and providing resources like counseling and legal assistance to survivors.
 Community Engagement: Hosting workshops and sermons to challenge cultural norms that enable abuse while fostering a supportive environment for victims.
 Prevention Programmes: Promoting equality and non-violence in marital relationships as a part of pre-marital counseling and community education efforts.
 Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations specializing in domestic violence to ensure effective response and resource provision.

10 Things your Rape Crisis counsellor wants you to know, Rape Crisis, Cape Town Trust, September 2021

Category: Individual Trauma Response and healing GBV

Subcategory: Blogs

You deserve compassion, understanding, and support as you heal from the trauma of sexual violence. Your rape crisis counsellor is committed to providing this support and helping you move forward.
This blog aims to reassure survivors of sexual violence that they are believed, supported, and deserving of healing and care. It emphasizes the importance of trust, respect, and empowerment in the healing process.

11. The paternal influence on early childhood development in Africa — A. Osborne — 2024 (PMC / open access commentary)

Category: Men and Masculinity

Subcategory: Article

Peer-reviewed commentary synthesising research on how fathers in African contexts shape early cognitive and socio-emotional outcomes in children. It argues that fathers as consistent role models reduce risks of behavioural problems and that paternal engagement should be a public-health priority. The paper provides citations and makes explicit links between paternal role modelling and later life outcomes (education, mental health).
For funders, the paper is a research anchor: it justifies investments in fatherhood and male role-model programs on developmental and public-health grounds rather than only on GBV prevention grounds.

A Church’s Response to Gender- Based Violence in South Africa. A mini-dissertation presented to St Augustine College of SA, Amos Muyambo, – St Augustine College of South Africa, 2018

Category: Communities coming together to overcome GBV

Subcategory: Reports and Studies

This mini-dissertation by Amos Muyambo undertakes a comprehensive examination of the church's response to gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, with a focus on the theological and practical implications of this issue.
The study highlights the importance of understanding biblical narratives and theological perspectives on gender and violence, which are often misinterpreted or misunderstood in the context of GBV. The research also emphasizes the need for churches to develop a comprehensive response to GBV, which includes:
• Providing spiritual support and counseling to survivors, acknowledging their emotional and psychological trauma
• Creating safe spaces for victims and perpetrators, fostering a culture of respect and dignity
• Educating congregants on gender and GBV issues, promoting awareness and understanding
• Advocating for policy change and legislation, working towards creating a safer and more just society
Methodology
The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research involved a review of literature on GBV, as well as case studies and interviews with church leaders, survivors, and other stakeholders.

Abstracts – Progress 2024: “Promoting the realisation of SRHR and gender equality across Africa”, Nacosa 2024

Category: General tools for facilitation Gender-based violence

Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials

Progress 2024 aims to maintain commitment to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and gender equality. It outlines developments and ongoing initiatives to enhance SRHR and gender equality in Africa. The initiative addresses systemic barriers to gender justice and aims to provide comprehensive SRHR services to all individuals, with a focus on marginalised populations.
Achievements include policy reforms, capacity-building efforts, and partnerships among governments, civil society, and regional organisations. Advocacy has increased awareness and integrated SRHR and gender equality into national and regional development frameworks.
Challenges such as socio-cultural norms, limited funding, and weak implementation of existing policies persist. Nonetheless, the programme emphasises community engagement, youth-led advocacy, and evidence-based approaches to foster change.

Abuse and Misconduct by Buddhist Leaders, moderated by Jan Chozen Bays

Category: Spiritual Abuse

Subcategory: Video

This roundtable discussion explores abuse and misconduct within Buddhist communities, focusing on power imbalance and accountability.

It emphasizes the need for ethical leadership and survivor centered responses.

Abuse in World Religions: Articulating the Problem

Category: Spiritual Abuse

Subcategory: Book

This open-access scholarly book provides a comprehensive and comparative exploration of abuse within major world religions, including Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and other faith traditions. Rather than treating abuse as an anomaly limited to particular groups, the book argues that harmful practices can emerge wherever religious authority, hierarchy, and sacred texts are combined with unequal power relations. It examines how spiritual authority can be misused to justify coercion, silence dissent, demand obedience, or normalize suffering, often leaving victims confused, isolated, or spiritually disoriented.

Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from theology, religious studies, ethics, gender studies, and social sciences, the book highlights recurring patterns of abuse across traditions while remaining sensitive to their unique theological and cultural contexts. It also explores how victims’ experiences are shaped by shame, fear, loyalty, and the belief that resistance may constitute spiritual failure. Importantly, the book does not dismiss religion itself, but calls for greater accountability, ethical leadership, and survivor-centered responses. It is written in an accessible style suitable for academics, practitioners, faith leaders, and members of the general public seeking to understand and prevent spiritual abuse across religious traditions.

Accompanying Survivors of Sexual Harm A Toolkit for Churches – The Shiloh Project, 2022

Category: Facilitation in the faith sector

Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials

This is a comprehensive guide for facilitators seeking to “walk alongside” survivors of sexual harm. The workshop-style focus is engaging and allows for flexibility and adaptation for varied contexts. The pastoral approach to creating safe space and using appropriate terminology is reinforced throughout the workshop brief. The Bible studies provide opportunity for robust and in-depth interpretation, and theological reflection of problematic issues of atonement and forgiveness.
This toolkit provides guidance and resources for churches to effectively support and accompany survivors of sexual harm. The toolkit acknowledges that churches have a crucial role in providing a safe and compassionate space for survivors to heal and rebuild their lives.
The toolkit covers key topics such as:
• Understanding the impact of sexual harm on survivors and their families
• Creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors
• Providing emotional support and accompaniment
• Offering practical help and resources
• Addressing the role of power and privilege in perpetuating sexual harm
The toolkit also includes practical tools and resources, such as survivor-centered approaches, case studies, and action plans, to help churches implement effective support strategies.

Accompanying Survivors of Sexual Harm A Toolkit for Churches, edited by Emily Colgan and Carolyn Blyth – The Shiloh Project, 2022

Category: Facilitation in the faith sector

Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials

The toolkit is a valuable asset for churches seeking to create a safe and supportive environment for survivors, and offers practical guidance and expert advice to empower them to do so:
Initial Response: Provides guidance on how to respond with sensitivity and care in the first hours and days after an abuse has been reported, ensuring that survivors feel heard, believed, and supported.
Counselling and Support: Offers expert advice on how to provide counseling and support to survivors, including the importance of trauma-informed care and creating a safe space for survivors to share their experiences.
Safeguarding: Examines the critical role of churches in preventing and responding to sexual harm, including policies and procedures for reporting and investigating allegations, ensuring that survivors feel protected and empowered.
Systemic Change: Discusses the need for churches to address systemic issues and promote cultural change, including the importance of listening to survivors' voices and amplifying their stories.
Healing and Restoration: Provides guidance on how to support survivors in their healing journey, including the importance of community, restoration, and ongoing care.
The toolkit includes:
Practical Guidance: Offers actionable advice and resources for churches to support survivors of sexual harm.
Real-Life Case Studies: Includes real-life scenarios to illustrate the complexities of supporting survivors of sexual harm.
Expert Contributions: Features contributions from experts in the field of sexual abuse, including psychologists, counsellors, and advocates.
Recommended Resources: Includes a list of recommended resources for further reading and support.

Advancing Integrity and Social Justice through Faith-based Service Learning in Kiambiu, Kenya

Category: Social Justice and Faith

Subcategory: Academic Articles

This article reports on a faith-based service-learning program in Kiambiu, an impoverished urban community in Kenya. Students engage with local residents through prayer, reflection, and community action, combining classroom learning with real-world engagement. The study shows that such programs help students develop a deeper awareness of socio-economic challenges and a stronger commitment to justice, while community members benefit from collaborative projects that build skills, income, and confidence.

The authors emphasize mutual transformation: students learn from community experiences, and residents participate actively in shaping solutions. Far from being charity alone, service learning becomes a shared space for addressing human rights, dignity, and resilience. This article is especially useful for readers exploring how faith and education can work together to promote justice, leadership, and sustainable community development.

Anglican Church Admits Failures in Handling Abuse Claims

Category: Spiritual Abuse

Subcategory: Reports and Studies

This report details how the Anglican Church acknowledged institutional failures in responding to abuse allegations involving clergy members operating across multiple countries. Investigations revealed that warnings and complaints were not adequately addressed, allowing harm to continue over time. The case illustrates systemic weaknesses in safeguarding procedures and accountability structures within large religious institutions. It also shows how institutional reputation can sometimes be prioritised over victim protection.

The article emphasises the long-term consequences of delayed or inadequate responses to abuse claims. Survivors often experience compounded harm when institutions fail to act transparently or responsibly. The case has contributed to renewed calls for independent safeguarding mechanisms within global church structures. It highlights the importance of accountability systems that function across national and institutional boundaries.

Anglican Communion.org

Category: Communities coming together to overcome GBV

Subcategory: Campaigns and other Resources

This website offers a number of resources and ideas for the 16 Days of Activism
The International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) offers resources to support Anglican communities in addressing gender-based violence (GBV). This includes guides for theological reflection, worship materials, and practical action steps tailored to help faith communities understand and respond to GBV. IAWN’s resources encourage discussions around power dynamics, provide scriptural insights on gender justice, and offer liturgies that address the impact of violence.
Additionally, IAWN collaborates with global Anglican partners to share best practices and advocacy tools, empowering communities to recognise GBV and support survivors. These resources emphasise the church’s role in challenging harmful norms and promoting gender equality, aiming to foster safer and more inclusive faith spaces.

Baháʼí Faith and Gender Equality (Overview)

Category: Faith and justice

Subcategory: Article

The Baháʼí Faith explicitly teaches that gender equality is a central spiritual principle, affirming that equal dignity of men and women is essential for peace and justice. This perspective connects sacred belief with universal human rights principles and offers an example of theological alignment with gender equality.
Use this resource to highlight positive doctrinal support for human rights, suitable for interfaith learning and reflection.

Believe in change: A toolkit for the Catholic community to promote gender equality – 2018, Cafod

Category: Faith Studies to Prevent GBV and to promote Gender Equality

Subcategory: Policy Briefs

The toolkit is rooted in Catholic social teaching, emphasising that gender equality is integral to the Church’s mission of social justice. It draws on key principles from Scripture to argue that all people are created in the image of God and possess equal dignity, regardless of gender.
It offers a variety of resources, including theological reflections, discussion guides, case studies, and practical activities, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges related to gender inequality.
One of the central messages of the toolkit is that gender equality is not just a social issue but a spiritual one. CAFOD underscores that the Church has a critical role to play in advocating for the rights and dignity of all people, particularly women and girls, who are often disproportionately affected by poverty and injustice. The toolkit provides prayers, liturgical suggestions, and scriptural reflections to help communities integrate these themes into their spiritual life and worship.
Additionally, the toolkit includes practical advice on how to implement gender equality initiatives at the local level. This includes tips for organizing awareness campaigns, conducting gender audits within organizations, and engaging with local and global gender justice movements. The toolkit also features real-life case studies from different parts of the world, showcasing how Catholic communities have successfully promoted gender equality in various cultural and social contexts.
Through education, prayer, and action, the toolkit seeks to inspire a movement within the Church that champions the equal dignity and rights of all people, in line with the teachings of Christ.

Black Theology of Liberation: Faith and socio-economic justice in South Africa’s struggles

Category: Faith and justice

Subcategory: Academic Articles

This article introduces Black Theology of Liberation as a faith tradition that emerged from the experience of racial exclusion and economic inequality in South Africa. Unlike purely academic debates, this theology grew out of lived struggle, asserting that Christian faith must address systemic injustice and the realities of life for marginalized communities. The author explains how belief in God’s justice and liberation calls for active resistance to structures that perpetuate poverty and discrimination.
The article also shows that while apartheid officially ended decades ago, its social and economic legacies continue to shape South African life. It argues that faith communities still have an important role to play in advocating for fair access to land, work, housing, and dignity. By connecting theological reflection with real-world justice work, this piece makes the case for a faith that is both spiritually grounded and socially engaged.

Breaking the Silence on Spiritual Abuse — Lisa Oakley & Kathryn Kinmond

Category: Spiritual Abuse

Subcategory: Book

This book delivers a clear and structured exploration of what spiritual abuse is, how it arises, what it looks like in real life, and how it progresses (stages/process). It balances research (psychology, sociology) with stories and real-life instances, with the goal of giving voice to survivors and exposing patterns.

One strong feature is its focus on how people recover: it offers guidance for therapists but also for survivors themselves, including how to recognize abuse, make sense of one’s story, and seek healing. It’s a good choice for someone who wants both understanding and practical tools.

CBE’s Resources

Category: Faith Studies to Prevent GBV and to promote Gender Equality

Subcategory: Blogs

CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality) is a nonprofit advancing the biblical basis for gender equality and empowering women in church and society. CBE promotes equal partnership between men and women in all aspects of life, offering publications, resources, and conferences to challenge gender bias and support justice. They emphasise scripture that affirms women’s leadership, countering cultural and religious barriers.
Alongside advocacy, CBE provides a supportive network for women in faith-based settings, encouraging them to use their gifts in ministry and beyond. Key resources include their peer-reviewed journal, Priscilla Papers, and an extensive online library for scholars and activists. Through global partnerships, CBE equips women for leadership, fostering a church culture that values everyone’s contributions.

CBS in Practice in the Context of Gender-Based Violence (Webinar, Nov 2024)

Category: Contextual Bible Studies

Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials

A webinar on the use of Contextual Bible Study (CBS) as a transformative tool for addressing gender and gender-based violence (GBV) in faith communities. CBS is a participatory method that invites people to bring their own lived realities into dialogue with Scripture, creating a safe and critical space for reflection and transformation.

The session introduced a practical framework based on the “See, Judge/Discern, Act” approach, likened to a chipati structure in which each stage nourishes the next.

Participants first “see” their context by sharing experiences and observations of gender and violence. They then “judge/discern” through a communal reading of the Bible, asking how Scripture speaks to or challenges these realities. Finally, they “act” by identifying concrete commitments and steps that individuals and communities can take to prevent and respond to GBV.
To demonstrate the approach in practice, the facilitators guided participants through a reading of Ruth 1–2. This story of Naomi and Ruth—women navigating vulnerability, loss, and resilience in a patriarchal context—served as a lens to explore issues of dependency, dignity, solidarity, and agency. By engaging with Ruth’s narrative, participants reflected on parallels with women’s experiences today, particularly in contexts marked by gender inequality and violence.

This CBS process offers a justice-oriented and replicable model for churches, interfaith groups, and community organisations. It equips facilitators with a flexible tool to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and strengthen commitments for change. CBS becomes a catalyst for theological reflection, solidarity with survivors, and concrete action towards ending GBV in faith settings.

Changing Gender Norms: Transforming Masculinities Resource Series

Category: Men and Masculinity

Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials

This comprehensive online resource series brings together Tearfund's extensive collection of materials on positive masculinity, gender equality and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. The collection includes facilitator manuals, Bible studies, implementation guides, research reports, monitoring tools and practical resources developed through years of work alongside churches and faith-based organisations in diverse cultural settings. It provides both introductory materials and more advanced resources for organisations wishing to deepen their understanding and practice.
One of the collection's greatest strengths is its holistic approach. Rather than addressing violence in isolation, it explores the interconnected roles of faith, family, culture and community in shaping attitudes towards gender. The resources encourage churches to become places where equality, respect and compassion are actively modelled and where men and boys are supported to develop healthier, life-giving expressions of masculinity. It is an excellent starting point for organisations seeking evidence-based resources that combine theology with practical action.

Church and Gender equality – PMU Resource and Toolbox – 2017, PMU Sweden

Category: Facilitation in the faith sector

Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials

The toolbox for building an inclusive and equitable church environment is rooted in a theological foundation, offering biblical and theological insights that affirm gender equality. By challenging traditional interpretations that have perpetuated inequality, the toolbox provides alternative readings and interpretations that support the equal participation of all genders.
The toolbox offers practical tools and guidelines for implementing gender-sensitive practices across various aspects of church life, including church governance, leadership roles, and pastoral care. These tools provide guidance on how to ensure equal representation in leadership positions, address gender bias, and develop policies that promote gender equality.
The toolbox also includes a wealth of educational materials for conducting workshops, seminars, and discussions on gender equality. These resources are tailored to raise awareness, educate congregations, and foster open dialogue on gender-related issues. Real-life examples from churches that have successfully implemented gender equality initiatives are showcased throughout the resource, highlighting the challenges and successes of different communities and offering practical insights and inspiration for other churches.
To ensure that efforts toward gender equality are effective, the toolbox includes strategies for monitoring and evaluating progress.