Domestic and Family Violence (DFV): Part One by Ps Michael Podhaczky

A person somewhere cringes in pain, in the aftermath of another incident of abuse. They cry out “Why do you treat me this way? What have I done to deserve this kind of treatment?” This kind of event is happening too often in homes around the world. You may know someone who suffers from DFV. Or you may have been a victim or are currently a victim.

So, in an attempt to raise the awareness of domestic and family violence it needs to be called for what it is - immoral and criminal. It needs to be exposed and opposed. Those involved need help, whether they are the victim or the perpetrator. Just because you attend church, do not think that you are exempt from being a victim or a perpetrator. This is the sad fact of the matter. Why? It is because people who attend church are people - that’s why. Yes, they may be a Christ-follower, but that does not mean that they are a finished work, as sanctification is an ongoing work.

Now that is no excuse for DFV, we all need to take responsibility for our actions. From a kingdom perspective, we need to physically and psychologically recognise that we have a problem and seek help. On a spiritual level, this is spiritual abuse so; we need to repent and STOP IT! The following are five ways that we as the church “might be partnering in the abuse:[1]

1.    We assume that our revulsion of violence and abuse guarantees its absence in our church.

2.    We love and respect and honour others who may in fact be abusers. And because of that, victims may feel that they have nowhere to turn.

3.    We may be co-opted – unwittingly – by the abuser to become a weapon.

4.    We are naïve about how the dynamics of domestic and family violence play out in church communities.

5.    We can be afraid of addressing domestic and family violence because we’re afraid of opening a can of worms.

We have an opportunity to be the kind of family God calls us to be. May God enable it to be so!”¹

Jesus Christ has already told us how to treat each other,

³⁴ “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” (Jn 13:34-35 NLT).

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…

Do you need support? The following Domestic and Family Violence support services are available:

·         1800 RESPECT National Helpline: 1800 737 732

·         Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811

·         Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491

·         Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114

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[1] “Part 1: We all unwittingly partner in the violence.” http://www.commongrace.org.au/we_all_unwittingly_partner_in_the_violence (12^th September 2017).