Physical Abuse
Any unwanted contact or threat of contact towards another to cause injury, disability, or death to maintain power and control.
“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed”
Physical Affects of Abuse
Fractures Heart Problems Digestive Issues Nervous System Problems Reproduction Issues Auto Immune
Emotional Affects of Abuse
Anxiety Depression PTSD Loss of Focus Sleep and Eating Disturbances
“The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me”
Get Help
We are here to serve you, your needs, and your timing. We will be involved as much or as little as you choose. We provide discipleship, referrals, resources, education about abuse, counseling, etc
Please check out “What we Do”
Please let us know how we can help. Give us as much information you feel comfortable giving us. If your life is in danger please call 911
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”
FAQs
How Big is the Problem?
1 in 4 women report severe physical violence by an intimate partner.
1 in 5 women experience sexual violence by intimate partner
1 in 5 homicides victims are by an intimate partner
Over HALF of women murdered in the US are killed by a current or former male partner.
The statistics are not much different within the church
What are some things “helpers” say that blame the victim?
“She needs to submit”
“She blows things out of proportion”
“She provoked him”
“She is too passive”
“I’d never stand for that”
“She should just leave”
Why don’t we convince or insist a woman leave her abuser?
Her chance of being murdered after she leaves goes up to 77%. She needs to be ready and, when possible, have a plan.
She has been controlled; We do not want to do the same thing her abuser has been doing.
What can a loved one do?
Listen and validate the victim’s feelings
Listen without judgment for the victim
Understand she loves the oppressor, and most everyone has some good qualities
Help her develop a safety plan
Help her find resources
Accompany her to counselor, ministry, or shelter
Pray with her and for her
Why do oppressors oppress/ abuse?
First, They are NOT out of control. They seek power.
Roots- Toxic entitlement “I demand.” “I am owed.” I have the right to insist”, “What I want matters most.”
They have a worship problem. They worship themselves and demand others to worship them.
Why won’t she leave him?
Most of the time, she has experienced emotional, financial, sexual, and or spiritual abuse as well. Under such shame and condemnation, she may not be able to see a way out.
She may feel like her husband needs her
She may have a misunderstanding of Biblical forgiveness or submission
She has learned not to think about the danger or abuse
She may have children and fears losing them or breaking up the family.
The oppressor may have threatened her financially, spiritually, family, the children, or life.
The oppressor cries, pleads for forgiveness, blames her for the abuse, and promises never to do it again.
She may be concerned about what others will think
She may think its her fault
Strong commitment to her marriage
She loves him.
“Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free”
Resources
https://dctribalmedia.com/5591/editorial/why-do-women-return-to-abusive-relationships/
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html#:~:text=About%201%20in%204%20women,form%20of%20IPV%2Drelated%20impact.
Strickland, D. A. (2020). Is it abuse?: A biblical guide to identifying domestic abuse and helping victims. P&R Publishing.