interfaith partnership against
domestic violence and elder abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233 (SAFE)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-4673 (HOPE)
Individuals and Institutions Making Progress against Abuse in Communities Together
Safe Havens is thrilled to have celebrated two honorees who have furthered understanding and prevention of domestic violence and elder abuse this year.
Our Honorees
Professor Emily F. Rothman, ScD
Professor Emily F. Rothman, ScD has long been addressing domestic violence and sexual assault through a public health perspective. Dr. Rothman brings these issues to the classroom so that students can understand them as public health crises. Her awareness of the importance of faith to victims and survivors resulted in a collaboration with Rev. Dr. Anne Marie Hunter of Safe Havens. Dr. Rothman is an Associate Professor at the Boston University School of Public Health with secondary appointments at the Boston University School of Medicine in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. She is also a visiting scientist at the Harvard Injury Control Research Center. Dr. Rothman has authored more than 80 publications and has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Dr. Rothman has worked closely with multiple state sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions, state health departments, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on issues related to sexual assault and partner violence prevention.
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar is being recognized for his efforts to bring domestic violence awareness and training to United Methodist Clergy in The New England Conference. This past year, Bishop Devadhar organized three Pre-Lenten Gatherings, which included a liturgy that focused on domestic violence and the need for awareness and healing as well as a training on domestic violence, trauma, and guidelines for a safe response. Bishop Devadhar holds a B.Com. degree from Vijaya College, University of Mysore, Mulki, India; a B.D., degree from United Theological College, Bangalore, India; a M.Th. degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. from Drew University. Elected to the episcopacy in 2004, Bishop Devadhar led the New Jersey Episcopal Area for eight years. In July 2012, he was assigned to the Boston Area where he now serves as the Bishop of The New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, which comprises more than 84,000 members in 600 churches across New England.