Abuse within the Jewish community is not a myth. Jewish families experience the same amount of domestic abuse as non-Jewish families. Domestic abuse crosses all economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, Ashkenazi, Misrachi, Sephardic, unaffiliated and interfaith families.

Traditionally the responsibility for maintaining shalom bayit, peace in the home, is placed upon the wife. When that peace is shattered, the Jewish community tends to blame the wife for her failure to maintain the image of a perfect Jewish family.

As a result, Jewish women stay in abusive relationships longer than other women. Many never tell anyone about the abuse out of fear, shame and humiliation.

Family Shalom works to stop the violence and the abuse that occurs within relationships by offering information and referral through its info line to those who want help dealing with their situations. The professionally trained volunteers provide information on a wide number of services including intervention, counseling, and support.

While 96 percent of reported domestic abuse is perpetrated against women and girls, abuse against men, boys and the elderly, also occurs. Family Shalom plans on offering referral service for these groups in the future.

Family Shalom seeks to educate the Jewish community about domestic abuse through its speakers’ bureau, teen healthy relationship training, the distribution of literature and annual community awareness campaigns.