Sikh Family Center's Family Violence Resource Guide has reached over 55 gurdware in Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, California, and many more across the country!

Here’s a glimpse into some of our conversations with gurdwara leaders encouraged to do more for victim-survivors of violence: 

“Since the Guide is written for Gurdwara Management, what can we share with the sangat about Sikh Family Center, if they wish to reach someone with expertise for support?”

Gurdwara sevadars and sangat members can customize the Family Safety Resource Card contained in the Guide (to their area/state) and post ‘Take a Stand Against DV’ flyers in discrete community spaces such as bathroom stalls at their local gurdwara. Sikh Family Center regularly mails copies of the resource cards and flyers in Punjabi and English and can assist in customizing them!

“Can you give training to gurdwara committees/bhai sahibs about family violence in the Sikh community?”

Yes! Sikh Family Center offers trainings in Punjabi for gurdwara leadership to help build their knowledge of family violence: what are the signs of abuse, what is coercive control, how we can learn from Sikh survivors, how family violence impacts children 

“We are not familiar with local resources for survivors of family violence. What are the resources that we should be listing in the Resource cards?”

We provide support to customize the Family Safety Resource Card from the guide so gurdwaras can post information on their bulletin boards/ Share via WhatsApp.

We have also been discussing why committees should seriously resist getting involved in asking victim-survivors to reach a “compromise” and instead direct them to resources that can fairly and safely help survivors first achieve safety: whether within the relationship or not. Leaving is not the only option. But survivors must be presented with a range of safe options to make the best decision for their circumstances.  

Encourage community members to get involved! Read more: How you and gurdwaras can stand up against gender violence.

Watch Now: Kaur engages gurdware about SFC Family Violence Resource Guide!

Want to know what it’s like for a Kaur to talk to gurdwara committees/Bhai Sahibs about our Family Violence Resource Guide? Tandeep Kaur, Sikh Family Center's Gender Justice Intern, has actively been involved in distributing and engaging with over 15 gurdware in just her home state!

She is calling on you for help! Get this guide out to your local gurdware and be a part of the change you want to see. Gurdwaras across the country can take easy, simple steps to address the issue of family violence in our community today.

This Guide is available in Punjabi and English at sikhfamilycenter.org/gurdwara-guide. Want to help us get it into the hands of your local gurdwara committee? Email us at [email protected] to get started!