Integrating Faith Sensitivity into Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Work: 10 Frontline Practices

Developing faith sensitivity requires thoughtful preparation, ongoing reflection, and a commitment to an intersectional perspective. Service providers, team leaders, and practitioners can enhance their effectiveness by seeking opportunities to support survivors from faith, religious, or spiritual backgrounds—including connections within local faith communities. The following ten practices offer practical, adaptable strategies to integrate faith sensitivity into gender-based violence work, grounded firmly in survivor-centred and trauma-informed principles.

1. Recognize the importance of faith
   Faith can deeply influence survivors’ experiences, decisions, and healing processes. Avoid assumptions; invite survivors to share what faith means to them.

2. Examine your own biases
   Consider how your personal beliefs might affect your perceptions or responses to a survivor’s faith.

3. Respect privacy and timing
   Create a supportive space for faith-related conversations without applying pressure to disclose. Confidentiality and readiness are paramount.

4. Cultivate faith literacy
   Develop an understanding of the diverse religious and spiritual traditions present in your community or service area.

5. Adapt services to faith-specific needs
   When appropriate, facilitate access to prayer items, sacred texts, or referrals to trusted spiritual supports.

6. Offer referrals to inclusive, survivor-endorsed resources
   Provide choices that connect survivors with faith leaders, faith-based organisations, or spiritual practitioners who respect trauma-informed care.

7. Invest in staff and volunteer training
   Strengthen your team’s capacity by providing education on faith sensitivity and cultural competency.

8. Engage collaboratively with faith communities
   Work alongside trusted faith leaders and groups to co-develop messaging and enhance community outreach efforts.

9. Integrate faith accommodations within shelter supports
   Ensure that survivors who wish to practise spirituality have access to dedicated spaces and necessary accommodations.

10. Continuously assess inclusivity
    Regularly review programs and materials to identify and remove barriers related to religion, spirituality, or creed.