Domestic violence is one of the leading forms of injustice across the world. In the Christian church, domestic violence affects one in three women in their lifetime (1). Domestic violence is a deeply rooted, regularly hidden, and alarming communal reality. Churches can be a haven for people escaping domestic violence. But every so often, they can help propagate abuse by failing to help when necessary. There are various reasons for this, including the church leaders failing to understand or being unwilling to admit that domestic abuse happens within their congregations. Churches have provided spaces for solace, belonging, support, and fellowship for individuals suffering from racial discrimination; they have played a significant role in countering inequalities in health due to the trust bestowed to them by local communities. The Christian church is among the most prominent institutions globally; therefore, it is vital to address the church's role in addressing domestic violence, supporting survivors, counseling, and healing.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is defined as any behavior that an individual uses to control their partner through intimidation and fear. It comprises sexual, physical, economic, psychological, and verbal abuse. Some examples of domestic abuse include insults, beating, threats to harm or kill, marital rape, and forced abortion or serialization (8). According to the US government survey, 53% of the perpetrators of domestic abuse were former or current boyfriends or girlfriends. A third of all the abused were by a spouse, and an ex-spouse beat 14%. Women aged 16-20 years are more vulnerable three folds than other groups to attacks by intimate partners; abuse victims between 35-and 49 face the highest risk of being killed (9).
Although abuse happens across economic and ethnic backgrounds, some groups face higher obstacles. Women of color are particularly at risk. Besides, in some communities, women are often required to keep marital issues within the home and ensure their family stays together regardless of the suffering and abuse. Some suffer in silence with the fear that they might become outcasts in the community if they leave their marriages. Women in rural areas have fewer resources with their situation worsening due to the distance and lack of transportation. Domestic violence is usually hidden in silence. People are always reluctant and waver to interfere, even in situations they suspect the occurrence of abuse and violence. People have always argued that intervening from outside endangers the sanctity of the home. Abuse and violence are as the grave when they occur at home as in other places. However, even when reported, occasionally, there are failures to protect the victims adequately or to scold the abusers.
Domestic violence is prevalent in churches. According to Winkelmann (2004), women often use religious language to justify abuse. Women use religious imagery to discuss evil and suffering. Although the language of religion assures the women recovering from abuse, many churches use it to offer solid backing for a convention of patriarchal marriage. According to McMullin et al. (2012), many women used religious language that implied submission and the notion of violence and suffering as their lot in life to justify abuse. Furthermore, abused Christian women are more likely to return to or remain in an abusive and unsafe relationship quoting religious beliefs to back their decisions. Christin women suffering from domestic violence tend to use religious language and Christian symbolism to justify or tolerate abuse and stay in an abusive marriage.
Domestic violence among Christian families is prevalent; however, churches and church leaders must assist in exposing such atrocious behavior by refusing to remain hesitant to take on the topic of abuse. Our role and responsibility as the Church are to speak out against all forms of injustice, even among our ranks. Silence isn’t the answer. As God’s prophets, we are mandated to cry aloud and spare not, exposing sin and providing an opportunity for repentance. Stay tuned as I continue to bring awareness, expose the darkness, and give answers to the topic of domestic violence within the Church in future articles.
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Charisma Magazine Link:
https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/church-ministry/52101-how-is-the-church-combatting-domestic-violence-among-its-ranks?fbclid=IwAR3Ul_ANbE71xmh0ZVm_KVUdBsD76GletzxLl6JmWDSA7YohkaMlTP9Vb9A