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Building Victim Assistance Networks With Faith Communities: Lessons Learned by the Vermont Victim Services 2000 Project
About This E-PublicationAcknowledgmentsMessage From the DirectorAbout the AuthorsRelated Links
The Need for Collaboration
Victim Needs From a Faith-Based Perspective
Elements of Collaboration
Lessons Learned
Program Startup, Relationship Building, and Sustainability
Cross Training
Lay Ministries

Enhanced Seminary Curricula
Faith Community Involvement in Task Forces and Community Initiatives
Public Education Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Approach
Issues Unique to Faith-Based Victim Assistance
Supplementary Materials
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Faith Based Victim Assistance Organizations

Lessons Learned

Interdisciplinary Approach

The VS 2000 Faith Community Initiative recommends an interdisciplinary approach to victims' issues. Common sense dictates that no one program, clergy person, or victim advocate can address all victim needs. Faith leaders have shown themselves willing to engage in this type of collaborative process with the secular victim assistance community. It is strongly recommended that victim assistance providers reach out to local faith leaders; invite them to participate in trainings, conferences, and their state's victim assistance academy; and invite them to participate in a collaborative process of community response so they may in turn effectively serve the victims who already look to them for comfort and spiritual care.


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