Consequences of abuse of any type are serious, pervasive, and multi-dimensional. Most people who have not experienced abuse of a loved one fail to comprehend the long term emotional, behavioral, and even spiritual sequelae of an abusive experience.
It is not an enemy who taunts me, then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me, then I could hide from him. But it is you...my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked... Psalm 55:12-14
As you care for the targets of domestic abuse and sexual assault, you follow Jesus' example: "a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench..." [Is. 42:3]
"As you become a guide and comforter for the oppressed, one of the most powerful things you can do for victims is to remind them that the Lord sees them, knows their trouble, and is active in their rescue." [Is It Abuse]
As a place to start with safeguards and policies for your church, I highly recommend, “The Child Safeguarding Policy for Churches and Ministries.” amazon.com/Child-Safeguar…
Working with the DASA team for the PCA has been deeply encouraging. So much work left to do, but a great team committed to doing everything they can, with a long history of faithfully caring well for the abused.
75% of women experiencing domestic abuse said they would go to their church first for help but of those who did, only 4% said they would ever do so again.
This statistic (actually 7 out of 10) came from a Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse booklet for churches called "The Church's Response to Domestic Family Abuse" published several years ago. It was a non-denominational study.
75% of women experiencing domestic abuse said they would go to their church first for help but of those who did, only 4% said they would ever do so again.
@barlowjon Thanks for asking: It came from a several years old study by the Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse called "The Church's Response to Domestic Family Abuse."
A bit surprised that the Denhollander essay--which advocates for abuse victims but also affirms substitutionary atonement as a way to do so--has gotten so little discussion. (I hope that means everyone agrees with it!) I''m grateful for the Denholladers' work and ministry.
"The 'captive and oppressed,'...must include not only those who are in spiritual bondage to sin, but also those who live in fear of physical abuse in their homes or churches, those who are raped, those who are preyed upon as minors, and others like them." churchcares.com
David sings in Psalm 21, "Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power." The LORD always uses His strength and power for good and from His character of love.
Verbal Abuse is extremely critical, threatening, or insulting words delivered in oral or written form and intended to demean, belittle, or frighten the recipient.
God longs for you to know deeply that He knit you together, He purposed your existence, and He has bent down, become little and known abuse and been trashed for your sake. He knows.
Spiritual abuse aims to solidify the power, prestige, and gratification of the abuser. Victims suffer shame, confusion, and spiritual doubt, having a negative impact on the victim’s perception of God’s character.
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” [Zechariah 7:9-10 (ESV)]
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. [Psalm 10:17-18 (ESV)]
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