La Porte, TX (flanderson.com) - On April 28, 2007, from 1pm to 4pm, The Breaking Free Foundation of Pleasant Hill Church of Deliverance will present its 2nd Annual Faith - Based Domestic Violence Conference.

Domestic violence is considered to be a very serious problem. According to the latest national averages, three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day in America; one in three women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury requiring serious medical attention for women ages 18-49, and 50% of husbands who frequently assault their wives, also frequently abuse their children.

In relation to domestic/family violence in the faith- based communities, the predominate feeling is, “not in my congregation.” This belief can make the faith-based communities a targeted area for violent perpetrators.

The Church is not exempt from the malignancy of domestic/family violence. Therefore, the conference will focus on what the faith-based organizations can do to help those who are experiencing family/domestic violence both in the community as well as in faith- based organizations. As the church, we must ask ourselves:

1) What are my legal obligations if child abuse is reported in my congregation?
2) Does being a church or other Faith-based organization exempt one from reporting family/domestic violence?
3) Could clergy or other faith-based leaders be held legally accountable for advice given to congregants regarding domestic/family violence?

We will also focus on the legal ramifications of the Church as it relates to domestic violence. The conference will introduce proposed partnering relationships between Churches and local shelters and/or domestic violence agencies.

To further show our support as the Church body we would like churches to get even deeper involved by becoming a part of this year’s open fundraiser. The fundraiser will include collecting personal items that will be distributed to the domestic violence shelter/agency who brings the most participants to the conference. On last year, the amount of items collected were too numerous to count and was thus divided between two local shelters. We would like to extend beyond last year’s quota. If you would like to actively participate in the fundraiser, please contact Lady Gail Johnson at (281) 451-2934 or Jacquie Parish at (281) 827-9322.

All sponsors will be listed in our final program along with the Church or organization’s particular logo. If one would like to give monetary donations, please make checks payable to Pleasant Hill Church of Deliverance, in C/O the “Breaking Free Foundation”. All items will be picked up from participating facilities on April 25, 2007.