Faith communities have an important opportunity to provide support to sexual assault survivors. Many survivors have spiritual concerns related to the rape, and are often members of a local congregation. They will thus often look to their faith communities for guidance in understanding the meaning and impact of the rape in their lives, as well as support. In addition, faith communities have resources and status in the local community that allows the congregation to lead the community's response to sexual assault and its prevention.

GNESA has developed materials and resources to help faith communities address the issue of sexual assault in their congregations and communities, and to facilitate a relationship between local congregations and sexual assault centers.

The following materials are available for download:

• Churches Responding to Sexual Assault: Opportunities for Faithful Collaboration
• Practical Recommendations for the Church's Response to Sexual Assault

For more suggestions on how you can help sexual assault victims, visit the following websites (will open in new window):

Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence

Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute

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