Everyone has the right to practice their religion without the fear of harm. Faith-based organizations are partners in preventing, protecting against, and responding to violence. Protect DC works with faith-based organizations to assess the risk of violence or serious harm and develop interventions for their congregations and facilities.
Listed below are three ways faith-based organizations can protect their congregation and facility.
Promote a Culture of Safety
Everyone has a role in preventing violence within their community. Faith-based leaders can promote a culture of safety by encouraging their congregation to notify the Protect DC Team about concerning behavior or communication, allowing appropriate officials to intervene and provide necessary resources to reduce the likelihood of violent situations. Leave a referral here.
Participate in Training Opportunities
Community members are the first line of defense for identifying concerning behavior or communication. When a community understands what to look for and how to make a referral, the Protect DC Team can better support public safety needs and reduce violence. The Fundamentals of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management course trains community partners and stakeholders on the indicators associated with targeted violence to enhance prevention efforts. For more information, contact Protect DC at [email protected].
Join the Interfaith Preparedness & Advisory Group
The Interfaith Preparedness & Advisory Group is a joint effort of the Mayor's Office of Religious Affairs, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. The group engages with the District's faith-based organizations to enhance preparedness for all types of hazards. Get more information on the Interfaith Preparedness & Advisory Group and join.
Partner Resources:
- District of Columbia’s Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs
- US Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
- US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s Faith Based Organizations – Houses of Worship
- Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization
- US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency: What to do – Bomb Threat