Washington DC Launches "kNOw DV" Campaign to Combat Domestic Violence with Cops and Clergy

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects countless individuals and families, and the District of Columbia has declared it a top priority. In a collaborative effort to tackle this pressing problem, the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and local clergy have joined forces to provide resources and training to identify indicators and help survivors of domestic violence. The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office hosted the launch of Washington DC's "kNOw DV" (Know Domestic Violence) campaign at its office, partnering with the Third Police District's longstanding "Cops and Clergy" program and the Police Department's Victim Services Branch, Criminal Investigations Division.

The event featured Interim Chief of Police Jeffery W. Carroll, who delivered introductory remarks outlining the urgency and importance of addressing domestic violence. The program included presentations from Officer Randy Rogers, MPD Third District Cops and Clergy Liaison Officer; a DC pastor sharing his personal story; a statistician from the DC Sentencing Commission; the director of the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants; and the president of The Magi Group. Each speaker addressed various facets of the issue and emphasized the importance of attending special training seminars and workshops geared to help clergy spot early indicators of domestic violence and refer those affected to the many resources in the city.

The evening concluded with short presentations from resource vendors, including the Court Services and Offenders Supervision Agency (CSOSA), DC Sentencing Commission, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, The Magi Group, LLC, My Sister's Place DC, Victim Services Branch, Volare DC, Volunteer Legal Advocates, and the Church of Scientology. Attendees were invited for coffee and dessert and to visit the resource tables to learn more about specifics and how these tools can be of help.

The message throughout the event, to "kNOw DV" (Know Domestic Violence), stressed the urgency and importance of training and collaboration between clergy, police, agencies, and all citizens to use the resources available to help those affected by domestic violence. Rev. Susan Taylor, Public Affairs Director, Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, said, "Our office was honored to host Chief Carroll and his team and assist in the launching of the Cops and Clergy domestic violence initiative. We were excited to see many faith leaders reaching out and scheduling workshops. With all of us working together using the tools we have, we will make a difference to help address domestic violence. We look forward to our continued partnership with the police, agencies and faith leaders."

This initiative matters because domestic violence often remains hidden, and faith leaders are uniquely positioned to recognize signs and offer support. By equipping clergy with training and connecting them with law enforcement and social services, the campaign aims to create a network of support that can intervene early and save lives. The collaboration between the Church of Scientology, MPD, and community organizations exemplifies a whole-village approach to a complex problem, highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing domestic violence.

For more information on the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office and its work, visit https://www.scientology.org. To learn about the MPD's Victim Services Branch, visit https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/victim-services-branch.