The theme for this year's Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse looks at the scourge of domestic abuse which causes pain and fear that prevent its victims from living the life Jesus came to bring.
The National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse takes place every year on the sixth Tuesday of Easter. In 2026, the day is marked on Tuesday, 5 May.
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
The theme for this year’s Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse looks at the scourge of domestic abuse which causes pain and fear that prevent its victims from living the life Jesus came to bring.
Immediately before the much-loved part of this verse from the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus’s words: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” This is how abuse feels to those who experience it – their dignity and value as a unique child of God is stripped away and destroyed.
The physical danger domestic abuse presents to life is clear. A woman is murdered by a partner or ex-partner every five days in the UK. Between three and 10 women die by suicide each week due to domestic abuse. Abusers can also perpetrate spiritual and coercive abuse, disrupting their victims’ relationships with God and the Church. This can lead victims – adults and children – to feel guilt and shame that push them away from the support that the Church has to offer.
At its best, the Church can – and should – be a safe haven where support is available for victims and survivors so that they can live life without fear and begin to experience the life in abundance Jesus came to bring. This hope is what we pray for this year.
The resources offered for this year build on those for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Here you will find suggestions and notes to help priests with homilies for the day itself, on Tuesday, 5 May, or the Sunday before. We also have Prayers of the Faithful.
Safe in Faith is a project of Caritas Westminster working to support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation in ways that understand how their faith impacts their experiences. Safe in Faith offers a domestic abuse signposting toolkit and some poignant prayers of the day provided by survivors.
In 2021, a number of survivors of abuse offered reflections on their experiences as part of a short project called Listening with Love. It offers material for seven short sessions that may be helpful for small group reflection groups and is still available here.
A collection of books about domestic and sexual abuse designed to support those with learning disabilities. Visit the Books Beyond Words website.
