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Training Christian people-helpers to identify and address domestic abuse.

Learn from committed Christians with deep expertise in the field of domestic abuse intervention and survivor support.

GHW Academy Essentials Course 1

Understanding & Identifying Abuse

We’re excited to announce the launch of the first installment in our new GHW Academy series: GHW Academy Essentials. This course provides essential information and resources to help you understand the dynamics of abuse.

With reduced time and financial commitment compared to our full 12-month Academy program, you’ll learn from a series of video lectures led by dedicated Christians with deep expertise in domestic abuse intervention and survivor support, including:

Leslie Vernick, Sheila Gregoire, Rachael Denhollander, Dr. Julie Owens, Dr Debra Wingfield, Pastor Jimmy Hinton, and Pastor Joseph Pote.

Launching April 27, for twelve weeks, you will dedicate about 60 minutes per week to complete each lesson. This course covers key topics to help identify behavioral and relational patterns indicative of abuse.

The course is split into five topics:

Terms & Definitions

In order to identify abuse, we must first get to the basics of domestic abuse. Defining abuse, types of abuse, coercive control, and trauma is essential to developing a foundation for addressing abuse in your communities.

Behavioral Patterns in Abuse

Once we have defined terms, we can begin to look at identifying abusers and victims. These lessons will give you a foundation for identifying abuse dynamics and patterns, allowing you to differentiate normal and abusive behavior.

Theological Considerations

Through these lessons, you will identify theological implications of abuse, helping you identify abuse in your church communities. Poor theology leads to enabling abuse; therefore, we must have a foundation of healthy theology.

Legal Considerations

There are many legal implications a church must understand, including: mandatory reporting, when/how to report, and reportable abuse. It is vital for churches to understand and implement policies that protect survivors.

Action Strategies: Next Steps

So where do you go from here? You now have a solid foundation for understanding domestic abuse in the church. How do you approach current situations in your church community? What are your next steps?

Become a part of the solution!

God wants us to be a people who do what we can to protect the vulnerable, and defend the defenseless. But just how do we go about doing that? How do we develop the kind of eyes that know what to look out for?

There’s a lot of information and conversation out in the world today about abuse, and not all of it is helpful or accurate. The GHW Essentials course empowers you to be the best advocate for the oppressed with the best information, tools, and resources you need.

Registration opens Monday, April 7, 2025! To be the first to know more details, sign up to receive Academy emails today!

"I highly recommend the Academy! There is such a wealth of information and resources, combined with support and encouragement from the leaders and the participants. I have been able to use the knowledge I gained in my private practice and my personal life, excellent!"

Valerie Wolff
Licensed Counselor, MSW, LISW-S

"As a lead pastor of 40 years and counselor out of necessity, I have seen abuse in marriage rise to epidemic proportions. Sadly, most clergy and churches are oblivious as to how to best identify and help those living in the Catch 22, guilt, fear, shame, embarrassment, or terror of such abusive relationships. Give Her Wings Academy is better equipping me with the awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge to be of more help in such situations."

Training Christian people-helpers to identify and address domestic abuse.