How Utah’s faith communities can help end violence against women

Downtown Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

As you can imagine, the persistence of violence is a deeply complex issue — one that far too many U.S. states, and countries around the world, continue to overlook. Utah is no exception. Given our state’s troubling rates of violence against women, we must confront why this crisis endures and what it will take to meaningfully change course. Yet conversations about violence against women remain uncomfortable, and concerns are often minimized or quietly dismissed.

In response to these realities, the Utah News Dispatch recently published an article I wrote titled “Why Utah Still Cannot Confront Violence Against Women.” In that piece, I outlined six interconnected forces that sustain silence in Utah and beyond: 1) the topic is socially taboo, 2) it challenges existing power structures, 3) it hits close to home, 4) many underestimate the scale of the problem, 5) cultural norms discourage speaking up, and 6) our systems are not designed to respond well—leaving people feeling powerless.

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In this follow‑up article, I offer six ways we can not only break the silence within our religious congregations, but also build practices that protect, empower, and uplift every member of our faith communities.

First, silence often persists because people lack the language — or the permission — to speak. We can change that by normalizing conversations about safety and dignity. Simple statements such as “violence has no place in our faith community” or “our tradition calls us to protect the vulnerable” set a powerful tone. Incorporating discussions of healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent into talks, classes, and small groups helps create a culture where people feel less isolated and more willing to come forward. Sharing research or anonymized stories can further illuminate the reality that abuse exists in every community, including religious ones.

Second, we can reframe this issue as a matter of faith, not politics. Many survivors remain silent because they fear being labeled “divisive.” Grounding the conversation in shared spiritual values — human dignity, compassion, accountability, protection of the vulnerable, and truth‑telling — helps shift the frame. When the message becomes “this is who we are as a people of faith,” resistance softens and space for honest dialogue expands.

Third, congregations can bring in outside voices. Sometimes the most effective way to break silence is to let someone else name the hard truths. Inviting experts from organizations such as the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, or local shelters and advocacy programs can provide clarity and credibility. Hosting panels with therapists, advocates, or legal professionals, and sharing resources from national faith‑based anti‑violence groups, signals that the congregation takes the issue seriously and that help exists beyond its walls.

Fourth, we can gently but firmly challenge harmful interpretations. Many faith settings unintentionally reinforce silence through teachings about forgiveness, obedience, suffering, marriage roles, or “keeping the family together.” Offering alternative interpretations rooted in safety, justice, and the inherent worth of every person does not undermine faith — it strengthens it. For Latter‑day Saints, the recently published book by Deseret Book, “Healing after Sexual Abuse,” offers thoughtful guidance on these and other themes.

Fifth, we can create visible, trusted pathways for disclosure. Silence thrives when people don’t know where to turn — or when they fear they’ll be dismissed if they try. Congregations can ensure that clergy and lay leaders (including women) receive basic training on how to respond to disclosures of harm. They can also identify trauma‑informed individuals within the congregation who can serve as safe points of contact. In congregations with lay leadership, a member can be invited or called to map and maintain awareness of local resources and support services. When women know there is a safe door to walk through, they are far more likely to speak.

And sixth, we can elevate women’s voices and leadership. Silence weakens when women are visible, central, and empowered. Faith communities can invite women to teach, speak, and lead discussions on safety and justice; create women‑led, gender‑specific listening circles or support groups; and ensure that decision‑making bodies include women with real authority — not symbolic roles. Representation must be substantive, not cosmetic. When women’s perspectives shape the culture, harmful dynamics — including violence against women and children — are more likely to be recognized early and addressed effectively.

Breaking the silence about violence against women is not optional — it is a moral and spiritual responsibility. Faith communities can either reinforce silence or help dismantle it, and that choice directly affects the safety and dignity of women, children, and families (that includes men too). Change does not require perfection, only willingness: the willingness to speak honestly, to listen without judgment, to challenge harmful norms, and to build policies and structures that protect rather than endanger. By choosing courage over comfort, churches and congregations can become places where truth is welcomed, healing is possible, and silence no longer has the final word.