Religion & Domestic Violence Subspoke 
The Religion & Domestic Violence Subspoke is part of the Domestic Violence Spoke within A Bolder Way Forward (BWF). This subspoke is designed to build relationships within the religious communities of Utah and share resources for women who may be facing violence and not know where to turn for help. Research tells us that domestic violence is associated with negative emotional states and has trauma-related impacts. It is not confined to people from any specific religion or faith and often appears with other types of abuse. Religion & Domestic Violence (Religion & DV) is where an individual uses religion or religious teachings to justify controlling and coercive behaviors. Sometimes, it may be subtle and complex to recognize; other times, it is not so subtle.
Subspoke Leaders
Candice Smith
Pediatrician, Tanner ClinicCandice Smith is a Pediatrician and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at Tanner Clinic. She advocates for women and children to have a valued voice in Utah. The most pressing need is to use evidence based care to change the trajectory of childhood trauma.
Jessica Woodbury
Certified Social Worker
Jessica holds a MSW from Brigham Young University and has experience supporting women who have survived profound trauma. She is a woman of faith who cares deeply about women’s empowerment, and has published writings and hosted a podcast on issues affecting women in religious spaces.
Bold Goals
- Develop a Subspoke that tightly aligns with the Domestic Violence Spoke and has an organizational structure allowing growth and engagement with the BWF community.
- Find leaders who understand how to build important relationships inside the different religious communities in Utah.
- Create materials to help educate religious leaders and congregational members that domestic violence is a problem in their community, and how to find resources.
- Build broad awareness in the religious community that domestic violence is a problem and educate about best trauma-informed practices to help and not harm.
Working Groups
- Community Engagement Working Group
- Awareness Working Group
- Resource Development Working Group
- Data & Research Working Group
- The Link Between Domestic Violence and Religiousity
- Bodies at Church: Latter-day Saint Doctrine, Teaching, and Culture as Related to Body Image
- New Findings - Influence of Religion and/or Patriarchy
- Latter-day Saint Women and Leadership: The Influence of Their Religious Worldview
- Understanding Spiritual and Religious Abuse in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence
- Countering Sexual Violence Through Female Alliances
- Introduction: Fight Against Domestic Violence
Get Engaged: If you would like to get involved in the Religion & Domestic Violence Subspoke of a Bolder Way Forward, please fill out this form and you can sign up for the Spoke newsletter here. Thank you for your interest!
Carey Van Wagoner
Spoke Coordinator
LinkedIn Profile
carey@careyvanwagoner.com