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Preventing Abuse and Violence Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day 2004 God’s Top Priority • What does God think about abuse and domestic violence? • God has acted so there is no mistake about what He thinks. The Seventh-day Adventist’s Church Top Priority 1. 1995 - General Conference Session 2. 2001 – General Conference voted Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day – 4th Sabbath August each year The Seventh-day Adventist’s Church Top Priority Cont’d 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 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. •Use of weapons like guns or knives •Social practices – female genital mutilation 2. Emotional Abuse •Words and behaviors •Insults •Brainwashing •Threats •Manipulation 3. Social Abuse •Verbal abuse in front of people •Controlling behavior •Isolating 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. Abusive Behaviors Can Affect Anyone Women and children are most often affected, but women can abuse too. Family violence cuts across all ages and sections of socioeconomic, and cultural groups. The Signs and Symptoms of Abuse 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, abusivenesssometimes leading to murder. Breaking the Cycle • Abuse is generational • Children learn from violence • Children of violent homes are 74% more likely to • The cycle can be broken with education The Good News A. How do we, as Adventists, talk about it • • • • Correct information Don’t tolerate abuse God calls us to act Some may ignore, but Jesus says – Luke 12:1-3 B. What Can We Do? • • • • Educate our children Establish refuges Help to pass laws Help someone who is being abused C. Help For Those Being Abused • An overlooked principle • We must strive for freedom • Marriage has both a moral and civil aspect D. The Good News • 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 • Matthew 10:23, Psalms 91:2 • Adventist Home p. 344 E. The Good News For Abusers •God loves the abuser, but hates the abuse. •Generally we abuse because we have been abused.
