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Bahá’í World Centre P.O. Box 155 31 001 Haifa, Israel
Tel: 972 (4) 835 8358 Fax: 972 (4) 835 8280 Email: secretariat@bwc.org
2 April 2003The Universal House of Justice has at long last considered the contents of “Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies on Domestic Violence: A Supplement to Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities” along with your cover letter of 6 January 2003. We have been asked to convey the following. Domestic violence in its various forms has become so rampant a problem in your country the baleful effects cannot possibly be escaped by the Bahá’í community. The preparation and issuance of these guidelines well reflect the alertness of your Assembly and its readiness to tackle difficult issues in a time of change that drastically upsets the social order. Your initiative is admirable indeed, the concentrated effort which realized it worthy of high praise. The House of Justice does not wish at this time to comment on the contents of the work, trusting that experience in its use will indicate what amendments it may become necessary for you to make in due course. Domestic violence is, of course, a worldwide occurrence about which national Bahá’í institutions everywhere are increasingly concerned and for which a number of them are working out solutions suited to the particular manifestations of it within their respective jurisdictions. The House of Justice has therefore noted with appreciation that the advice provided in your guidelines relates specifically, as it should, to issues in the United States and is attuned to provisions of American civil law and policy. This makes the material especially relevant to cases brought before your Local Spiritual Assemblies, and also appealing to the interest of the American public, as you clearly intend it to be. May the immense investment by all those concerned with the preparation of this laudable work be richly rewarded by the outcome.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,