About The Program

The Institute for Family Violence Studies would like to thank you for your interest and participation in the Faith-Based Project to End Domestic Violence. Launched in the fall of 2010, this initiative is aimed at providing leaders in religious communities with the tools and resources necessary to support, protect, and serve victims of domestic violence. In 2011 and 2012, the Institute for Family Violence studies will be seeking to expand this project and providing training for additional religions.

This project was created within the Institute for Family Violence Studies. A majority of the research and development was done by Laura Cassels Summerlin, M.S.W. who is a graduate of Florida State University’s College of Social Work. She teaches Bible Study in the Young Adult Ministry at First Baptist Church of Tallahassee. Annelise Martin is an M.S.W graduate and Ph.D. candidate at F.S.U.’s College of Social Work. Karen Oehme, J.D. is the director of the Institute for Family Violence Studies. Other contributors include Nat Stern, J.D., Zachary Summerlin, M.S.W., Hannah Nelson, M.S.W., DeAnn Scarborough, Coordinator of Research Programs, and Antonio Wyche.

Once the framework for the online training was complete, the project turned to a collaboration of community advisors to pilot test the training. They offered valuable feedback and suggestions that helped complete the training curriculum.

Advisory Board

  • Dr Douglas Dortch, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, FL
  • Rev Ronald V Walters, Senior Pastor, Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, Lake City, FL
  • Dr Marshall Dean Whitaker, Senior Pastor, East Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs, FL
  • Pastor Jay Winters, Head Pastor, University Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, FL
  • Sally Mennicke, Lutheran Educator, St John Lutheran Church and School, Ocala, FL
  • Steve Mennicke, Teacher/Elder, St John Lutheran Church and School, Ocala, FL