The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church names domestic violence as a priority issue of the church confessing that our denomination has been too silent about this "pandemic"; happening not only in the United States, but around the world. Gender-based violence statistics are startling and calls the church to action.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10, NRSV
One in three women will experience some level of violence in their lives - half of them from intimate partners. Three in ten women murdered in the U.S. are murdered by their husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends.
A survey of 6,000 American families found that half of the men who assault their wives, also abuse their children.
Each year an estimated 3,300,000 children are exposed to violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members. Studies show that child abuse occurs in 30 to 60 percent of family violence cases that involve families with children.
According to the latest report from UNICEF, nearly 275,000,000 children worldwide are witnessing abuse in their everyday life, which has a negative impact on their psychology. The report finds children who witness domestic abuse are the most vulnerable ones: they are the easiest victim of child abuse and they are likely to repeat what they have seen as a child when they are older.
Tragically, Christian women often feel compelled to stay in abusive relationships by Scripture telling them to "submit to their husbands" or "turn the other cheek." Abused women often feel abandoned by God. According to the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, rather than offering resources and alternatives to battered women, pastors, priests and rabbis have often advised women to return to violent homes and be "better wives." Some women find themselves trapped in situations where they are economically dependent on their spouse and cannot leave an abusive situation.
Biblical and Theological Context
"The church is challenged to listen to the stories of victims and survivors and to seek information and guidance that will lead to wiser and more effective ways of minister with persons who experience domestic violence and sexual abuse. The church must be a refuge for people who are hurting, and it is an entirely appropriate place for these issues to be addressed." (2004 Book of Resolutions, "Violence Against Women and Children," ¶186)
Additionally, United Methodists believe that "children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional and sexual exploitation and abuse." (Social Principles, ¶162D)
Scripture reference: Luke 10:25-37
What GBCS is Doing
GBCS has developed a one-day seminar on domestic violence for local churches and/or annual conferences. The seminar includes worship materials, resources for action and education.
GBCS follows pertinent pieces of U.S. legislation related to domestic violence and mobilizes United Methodists in a timely manner to respond with action.
GBCS participates as a member of the Child Labor Coalition, an international group working to prevent child labor, trafficking of children and other abuses.
GBCS is a member of the Interfaith Domestic Violence coalition and advocates for U.S. legislation for an International Violence Against Women’s Act.
24 Hour Survey of Domestic Violence Shelters in US
Domestic Violence Counts: 07 is a report on a 24-hour census survey that was completed in 2007 of shelter services across the United States. The survey revealed that 53,203 victims were served in one day, but due to a lack of resources, 7,707 victims could not be assisted. Various unmet needs are documented as well as the services requested. If you?re doing any kind of advocacy on this issue, this resource provides useful statistical information.
Domestic Violence Brochures
General Board of Church and Society has produced 5 new brochures for Bible Study and discussion groups to explore the signs, causes and effect of domestice violence on individuals, relationships and our communities.
Sample One-Day Seminar on Domestic Violence
Sample seminar includes a schedule, tips for creating presentations, choosing speakers and building awareness and advocacy opportunities.
Links
FaithTrust Institute
FaithTrust Institute is an international, multi-faith organization working to end sexual and domestic violence. The institute provides communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge they need to address the religious and cultural issues related to abuse. FaithTrust Institute works with many communities, including Asian and Pacific Islander, Buddhist, Jewish, Latino/a, Muslim, Black, Anglo, Indigenous, Protestant and Roman Catholic.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
NCADV organizes for collective power by advancing transformative work, thinking and leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives. NCADV thinks violence against women and children results from the use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control over others in intimate relationships, and from societal abuse of power and domination in the forms of sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, anti-Semitism, able-bodyism, ageism and other oppressions.
National Council of Churches Women's Ministry Office National Council of Churches Women's Ministry Office oversees the Justice for Women Working Group of which GBCS is a member. This office is directed by Ann Tiemeyer. This website contains useful information about the women's work of the National Council of Churches.
Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence
SPSARV develops UMC leadership providing ministries of prevention, treatment and advocacy as they respond to alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues. SPSARV provides training and networking opportunities, technical assistance, funding, and serves as an advocate for public policy that protects and restores. Bearing witness to God's love, SPSARV accompanies individuals, families and communities in their journeys to hope, healing and deliverance.
The community provides the potential for nurturing human beings into the fullness of their humanity. We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals. Primary for us is the gospel understanding that all persons are important—because they are human beings created by God and loved through and by Jesus Christ and not because they have merited significance. We therefore support social climates in which human communities are maintained and strengthened for the sake of all persons and their growth. We also encourage all individuals to be sensitive to others by using appropriate language when referring to all persons. Language of a derogatory nature (with regard to race, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexuality, and physical differences) does not reflect value for one another and contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We recognize that family violence and abuse in all its forms—verbal, psychological, physical, sexual—is detrimental to the covenant of the human community. We encourage the Church to provide a safe environment, counsel, and support for the victim. While we deplore the actions of the abuser, we affirm that person to be in need of God’s redeeming love.
162 III. The Social Community
The rights and privileges a society bestows upon or withholds from those who comprise it indicate the relative esteem in which that society holds particular persons and groups of persons. We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection. We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status. Our respect for the inherent dignity of all persons leads us to call for the recognition, protection, and implementation of the principles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights so that communities and individuals may claim and enjoy their universal, indivisible, and inalienable rights.
General Board of Church and Society has produced 5 new brochures for Bible Study and discussion groups to explore the signs, causes and effect of domestice violence on individuals, relationships and our communities.