Preventing Abuse and Violence Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day 2004

God’s Top Priority What does God think about abuse and domestic violence?What does God think about abuse and domestic violence? God has acted so there is no mistake about what He thinks.God has acted so there is no mistake about what He thinks.

The Seventh-day Adventist’s Church Top Priority General Conference Session – General Conference voted Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day – 4 th Sabbath August each year

3.Eight departments of the church make this a top issue – Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, Adventist Review, Children’s Ministries, Education Department, Family Ministries, Health Ministries, Ministerial Association, Personal Ministries, Women’s Ministries, and Youth Ministries. The Seventh-day Adventist’s Church Top Priority Cont’d

3.Why is it a Top Priority? – The Bible 4.Abuse is prevalent within our church The Seventh-day Adventist’s Church Top Priority Cont’d

World’s Biggest Human Rights Issue 1.Staggering scale of murder, assault, rape and abuse from domestic violence 2.Often committed behind closed doors 3.92% American women say it is top priority 4.Kofi Annan says…

World’s Biggest Human Rights Issue Cont’d 5.Most universal and unpunished crime 6.Most pervasive form of human rights abuse 7.Women more likely to be the victim.

What is Abuse or Domestic Violence Abuse or domestic violence occurs when one person uses violent or intimidating behavior to control or dominate the other person, resulting in physical, sexual and or psychological damage, forced social isolation or economic deprivation, or behavior that leaves the victim living in fear.

What is Abuse or Domestic Violence Abuse is more than just an argument or disagreement. It includes fear, control, domination, victimization and harm. Someone is being hurt.

1. Physical Abuse or Violence Punching, hitting, slapping, shoving etc.Punching, hitting, slapping, shoving etc. Use of weapons like guns or knivesUse of weapons like guns or knives Social practices – female genital mutilationSocial practices – female genital mutilation

2. Emotional Abuse Words and behaviorsWords and behaviors InsultsInsults BrainwashingBrainwashing ThreatsThreats ManipulationManipulation

3. Social Abuse Verbal abuse in front of peopleVerbal abuse in front of people Controlling behaviorControlling behavior Isolating a personIsolating a person

4. Sexual Abuse Any sexual act to which an adult does not freely give consent or any sexual act with a child e.g. rape, sexual abuse, pedophilia, female genital mutilation

5. Spiritual Abuse or Persecution The abuser will attack the victim’s beliefs, their faith, or their source of strength to maintain absolute control.

Women and children are most often affected, but women can abuse too. Family violence cuts across all ages and sections of socio- economic, and cultural groups. Abusive Behaviors Can Affect Anyone

These can range from depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, sleeping, eating and sexual disorders, distrust of people in general or authority figures, loss of self esteem, feelings of helplessness and worthlessness, isolation, addictions, abusiveness  sometimes leading to murder. The Signs and Symptoms of Abuse

Abuse is generationalAbuse is generational Children learn from violenceChildren learn from violence Children of violent homes are 74% more likely toChildren of violent homes are 74% more likely to The cycle can be broken with educationThe cycle can be broken with education Breaking the Cycle

The Good News A. How do we, as Adventists, talk about it Correct informationCorrect information Don’t tolerate abuseDon’t tolerate abuse God calls us to actGod calls us to act Some may ignore, but Jesus says – Luke 12:1-3Some may ignore, but Jesus says – Luke 12:1-3

B. What Can We Do? Educate our childrenEducate our children Establish refugesEstablish refuges Help to pass lawsHelp to pass laws Help someone who is being abusedHelp someone who is being abused

An overlooked principleAn overlooked principle We must strive for freedomWe must strive for freedom Marriage has both a moral and civil aspectMarriage has both a moral and civil aspect C. Help For Those Being Abused

1 Corinthians 6:19, 201 Corinthians 6:19, 20 Matthew 10:23, Psalms 91:2Matthew 10:23, Psalms 91:2 Adventist Home p. 344Adventist Home p. 344 D. The Good News

E. The Good News For Abusers God loves the abuser, but hates the abuse.God loves the abuser, but hates the abuse. Generally we abuse because we have been abused.Generally we abuse because we have been abused.