police officer holding radioBlog

The Recent Domestic Violence Mass Shooting in Lexington

July 15, 2025By

The recent domestic violence mass shooting in Lexington was devastating.

We hold the families of Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs in our hearts—as well as the wounded and their faith community. We grieve and stand with you. 

In the days and weeks ahead, hard questions will be asked. How could this tragedy have been prevented? What warning signs were missed? What more could’ve been done and by whom?   

“There is also a need for self-reflection among all of us,” says Darlene Thomas, GreenHouse17 Executive Director, in an interview with Linda Blackford of the Herald-Leader. “It often feels like the people held responsible are the victims themselves, and we blame them — they should have had a safety plan, etc. — instead of focusing on the problem. We as a society need to start taking the responsibility off victims and onto batterers.” 

We owe it to the victims and each other to answer those questions while acting on what we already know: 

Domestic violence always has the potential to turn lethal. The threat is very real for the abuser’s current partner, previous partners, the children and families of those partners, law enforcement, victim advocates, and our community at large. 

Domestic violence is a pattern of power and control. The danger increases when the abuser believes that power is slipping away.  

Ending a human life is the ultimate act of control. When an abuser has access to a gun, the risk of homicide increases five-fold. A history of domestic violence or harming family and intimate partners has been found in 68% of mass shootings in the United States. 

Our hotline – 800-544-2022 – is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our specially trained advocates can help safety plan if you or someone you know is being abused, threatened, stalked, or harmed by a partner.

If you’re a survivor of domestic violence, you may be feeling triggered or more scared about your safety. Our advocates are available for you, too, whether it’s been months or years since you survived the abuse.

Read more.

Click the link above to read Linda Blackford's article.

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Blog

Advocate in Your Place of Faith

September 26, 2024By

A culture of support and understanding develops when faith groups and leaders talk about intimate partner abuse.

How is faith related to the survivor experience?

Many survivors of intimate partner abuse experience faith as a distinctive element of their identity and personal lives. While faith can be a source of strength and comfort, it is also complex and, when misused or misinterpreted, can complicate a survivor’s situation.

Are there aspects of your specific faith tradition that could complicate a survivor’s experience?

Consider parts of your holy texts related to intimate relationships, gender roles, and marriage. How can you talk about these texts in a way that makes survivors feel safe in their own faith community?

How does your faith tradition support survivors?

Social support is vital in a survivor’s recovery. Are survivors in your religious community made to feel as though they are expected to choose between safety and their religious community or tradition? Are you familiar with KRS 209A, the Kentucky statute that requires professionals in a variety of sectors, including faith leaders, to provide resources and referrals for suspected victims of domestic violence?

How does your community of faith hold abusers accountable?

How do the clergy and lay leaders in your community hold perpetrators accountable when they are identified by survivors? Does your faith response further isolate the survivor?

Does your faith community demonstrate commitment to ending intimate partner abuse?

Do groups or missions in your faith community provide assistance, such as food or clothing, to local shelters? Do you collaborate with other faith-based organizations or secular programs to address the issue? Including our 24-hour crisis hotline number in your weekly bulletin is an easy first step. That number is 800-544-2022.

What resources specific to faith and domestic violence are available?

Don’t just read this.

Follow this link for more ways to support survivors and end domestic violence.

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Laurie at St. Michael'sBlog

Faith & Flowers – St. Michael’s

July 17, 2023By

Every summer Sunday, the altar of St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church displays flowers grown by survivors on our farm.

Reverend Laurie Brock, Rector, is also an attorney who helped write domestic violence laws in her home state of Alabama. When she came to St. Michael’s in 2010, supporting local survivors was a priority.

“If you have a Sunday morning attendance of 100, 25 of those people are experiencing some kind of intimate partner violence,” explains Laurie.

“Domestic violence is in many ways the silent pandemic because there’s so much shame wrapped up in it.”

Laurie, on behalf of the church, has been a member of our Summer Flower CSA for many years, and she is proud to spread the word to her parishioners and the community.

“I would rather get flowers locally, and we know it’s more than just flowers,” she shares. “They represent people finding out that they are worth living a life of safety.”

“It is an investment in people’s dignity. I think that as faith communities we are called to prioritize our funds for that. I would love to see more churches and community organizations participate.”

Faith-based partnerships recently have helped us to expand programming, provide holiday food to survivors living in transitional housing, and maintain the emergency shelter property.

Read the Summer 2023 Issue of Bloom 💜

This is one article from our print newsletter. Follow the link above to read the full issue!

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Blog

Christy’s Story

October 13, 2022By

“I felt like there wasn’t a way out.”

Nine years ago, I was being physically, sexually, and psychologically abused. I felt like there wasn’t a way out.  

I never thought I would experience domestic violence. I remember saying, “I dare someone to put their hands on me,” and I often judged women who stayed in abusive relationships by saying, “Why don’t they just leave!” But here I was feeling trapped in the very same situation I had judged others. 

I felt as if I didn’t have a way to get help after physical assaults. I was too afraid to call the police because, sadly, both partners in a same-sex relationship are often arrested during domestic violence situations.  

Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ survivors experience additional barriers to getting the help needed to leave an abusive relationship. They’re often met with victimizing legal services, so there is a hesitancy to use them. 

I have a teaching license and was pursuing ordination within a Christian denomination to become a minister, so an arrest on my record would put my career hopes in jeopardy.  

Thankfully I had friends who helped me leave the relationship and begin the process of healing. One of my friends connected me with an agency that would help me deal with my sexual assault.  

I was afraid at first to disclose to the crisis counselor that my partner was another woman. I was so afraid that I would encounter homophobia and that this organization only helped heterosexual persons. Fortunately, the counselor was amazing, and my fears never materialized.  

Today I am an outreach advocate at GreenHouse17 helping others find healing and hope. I facilitate our weekly LGBTQ+ domestic violence support group. I believe everyone deserves to live a life free from abuse.

I’m a certified Spiritual Director. I’ve also published a collection of poetry called Hanging Onto Jesus: A Gay Christian’s Journey of Reclaiming Faith. I share poems from each stage of my life – childhood and teenage shame, ex-gay years, and final acceptance of my identity as a queer woman of faith.

This is only part of Christy’s story, in her own words, shared with permission. 

Read the Fall 2022 Issue of Bloom

This is one article from our print newsletter. Follow the link above to read the full issue!

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