Peace in the Family

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In our communities we are always thinking about ways we can encourage everyday conversations about family violence, and the work of nurturing healthy families and neighborhoods.

Peace in the World Begins at Home

At our Fall 2002 "Peace in the Family" picnic all attendees received a printed scroll of the Family Peace Pledge and a large refrigerator magnet clip. The pledge is a great way to stimulate family discussions about sustaining respectful relationships at home.

Please feel free to download and print out the scroll in English or Spanish, and to share it with friends and neighbors.

Download English version (MS Word)
Download en Español (MS Word)

I will not try to control a loved one by:

• Put downs, name calling or insults

• Humiliating or embarrassing

• Threatening to hurt them

• Exposing them to hate crimes, racism and immigration problems

• Destroying things they value

• Hurting their pets

• Keeping them away from friends and family

• Controlling what they do, who they see and talk to, where they go

• Using jealousy to explain my actions

• Intimidating them with fists through a wall, thrown chairs or broken doors

• Slapping, hitting, pushing, choking, or using a weapon

• Forcing sexual contact

I will work to make all my relationships healthy and respectful and I will try to be a positive role model for others by:

• Giving others the same respect I want for myself

• Listening with an open attitude

• Taking responsibility for my own feelings and honestly admitting my mistakes

• Releasing my stress nonviolently

• Giving more than I take

• Supporting success for my loved ones inside and outside the home

• Sharing decision making

• Trusting others as I want them to trust me

• Encouraging my loved ones to accomplish their dreams

• Taking care of my physical and mental health

• Asking for help and being willing to accept support

• Not keeping secrets about unhealthy behaviors in my family

I Pledge:

To take care of the other members of my family and protect them from harm. I know it is wrong to control others with emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, or force. I will be open about relationships within my family and will not keep secrets about unhealthy relationships.

I will work to make relationships within my family based on freely giving of myself for the benefit of the entire family in a context of freedom and joy. I will not build my relationships on guilt and fear but rather on respect and equality.

Signed by family members as our commitment to each other :