Our Domestic Abuse Specialist Lauren Shuter will deliver this session.

Lauren is a former social worker who worked for Leicestershire County Council supporting vulnerable families as an intense family support key

worker for the children and families service in Leicestershire.

Her expertise is in domestic abuse and she is the safeguarding lead at her church.

Biblical perspective 

● What the Bible says about love

● What the Bible says about relationships

● A biblical study on divorce

● What the Bible says about headship and authority 

What is domestic abuse?

● Types of domestic abuse- physical, sexual, emotional, phycological, financial and coercive control 

● The legal definition 

● What the law says about domestic abuse

● The Domestic Abuse Act 2021

● What is situational couple violence?

● What is coercive control?

● Sexual consent

● What is gas lighting?

Parental conflict 

● The difference between parental conflict and domestic abuse

● A pastoral guide to supporting couples that experience conflict 

● How couples can manage conflict in their homes 

How are children are affected by domestic abuse?

● Emotionally 

● Physically 

● Socially 

● Trauma

● ACE’s 

Why do people abuse?

● Power and control

● No excuse for abuse

● Behaviour is always a choice

Signs of domestic abuse

● Behaviour to look out for

● Warning signs 

How common is domestic abuse?

● Statistics 

Child on parent abuse

● What is child on parent abuse?

● Pastoral advice regarding child on parent abuse

● Services that support children who use violence within the home 

Top tips for church leaders and pastoral workers regarding domestic abuse

● How to offer pastoral support

● Not making assumptions

● The importance of child voice/ child behaviour 

● Safeguarding policy/ procedures must include domestic abuse 

● Listening well