End Domestic Violence Task Force

08/31/2026

Live interview! Would your church recognize the abuse?

Mica Miller’s story has brought national attention to domestic abuse, coercive control, spiritual abuse, and the critical role churches play when a woman reaches out for help.

In this important conversation, Called to Peace Ministries (CTPM) founder Joy Brown Forrestt and Pastor Neil Schori, Director of CTPM Church Partnership, discuss what churches can learn from Mica Miller’s story—and what must change in the way Christian communities recognize and respond to domestic abuse.

How can pastors and church leaders recognize coercive control? What happens when Scripture or spiritual authority is used against a victim? How should a church respond when a woman says she is afraid of her husband? And what can churches do to become safer places for victims seeking help?

This conversation goes beyond awareness to practical action—equipping pastors, ministry leaders, advocates, friends, and family members to recognize abuse, respond wisely, prioritize safety, and walk alongside those experiencing domestic abuse.

Mica’s story has captured the attention of millions. The question now is: Will we learn from it—and will our churches know what to do when the next woman asks for help?

Featuring Joy Forrest, Founder of Called to Peace Ministries, and Pastor Neil Schori, domestic abuse advocate.

*Neil Schori was the pastor who advocated for Stacy Peterson case. This should be an excellent conversation for everyone, including pastors, counselors and ministry leaders.

08/20/2026

08/14/2026

Financial abuse can be a main reason people stay in unhealthy and abusive relationships.

What to learn how to support survivors in our community? Join us!

08/04/2026

Abuse comes in many forms:

𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
•Controlling who someone can see, talk to, or spend time with.
•Creating conflict with friends or family so the person becomes more dependent on the relationship.
•Limiting access to transportation, communication, or support systems.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
•Constantly checking a person’s location, phone, messages, or social media.
•Demanding passwords or access to accounts.
•Using tracking apps or technology to keep tabs on someone.

𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
•Using fear, guilt, shame, threats, or humiliation to influence behavior
•Making someone feel responsible for the abuser’s emotions or actions
•Threatening to leave, harm themselves, ruin the person’s reputation, or retaliate

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹
•Controlling access to money, bank accounts, employment, or education
•Preventing someone from working or forcing them to depend financially on the partner
•Monitoring spending or requiring permission to buy necessities

𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
•Denying events happened or rewriting situations to make the person question their memory or judgment
•Minimizing harmful behavior (“You’re too sensitive,” “That never happened”)
•Making the person doubt their own instincts and perceptions

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
•Dictating clothing, appearance, routines, friendships, activities, or decisions
•Expecting constant updates about where someone is and what they are doing
•Making rules that only apply to one person in the relationship

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿
•Threatening harm to the person, children, pets, family members, or themselves
•Using anger, destruction of property, or physical intimidation to create fear
•Making someone feel they cannot safely leave or disagree

Coercive control is not about one isolated incident, it is a 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀 designed to create power and control over another person. It can exist even without physical violence and is often a warning sign for escalating abuse.

#

07/24/2026

07/10/2026

Victim and survivor experiences consistently show that leaving an abusive relationship is often not a single decision, but a process that requires careful planning, resources and support.

By changing the question from "Why didn't they leave?" to "What barriers are they facing?" we can foster greater understanding and create more survivor-centered responses.

Everyone deserves safety, support, and the ability to make decisions that are right for their unique circumstances.

50 Obstacles to Leaving: https://bit.ly/3BNIE2i

07/08/2026

This is why the End Domestic Violence Task Force exists in Kleberg County. Get involved. Donate. Help with our fund raiser. We are moving forward to make a greater impact on our community.

A San Antonio woman wants to make sure her mother isn’t just another statistic. Ana Rennie, 55, was the fourth domestic violence murder-suicide victim in Bexar County in just three weeks. 👇 Full story at the link in the comments.