What is Domestic Violence?

One of the most stretching but worthwhile experiences I’ve had in my growth as a Christian was to volunteer for two years in a domestic violence shelter. At that time I knew very little about the topic, but I had a God-given desire to support and care for women in pain.

In teaching God’s Word and sharing His love with women both in the USA and overseas, I’ve seen how my exposure to this issue has been part of God’s equipping. Abuse does happen in the Christian community and I feel both privileged and responsible to speak about it as the Lord leads.This is a difficult and delicate topic and I can only give you a brief overview here—but I’m praying that the Lord will use this information for your blessing and strength.The following is from the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

“Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner."

Many forms of abuse are included in the definition of domestic violence:

• Physical abuse can include hitting, biting, slapping, battering, shoving, punching, pulling hair, burning, cutting, pinching, etc. (any type of violent behavior inflicted on the victim). Physical abuse also includes denying someone medical treatment and forcing drug/alcohol use on someone.
• Sexual abuse occurs when the abuser coerces or attempts to coerce the victim into having sexual contact or sexual behavior without the victims consent. This often takes the form of marital rape, attacking sexual body parts, physical violence that is followed by forcing sex, sexually demeaning the victim, or even telling sexual jokes at the victim’s expense.
• Emotional abuse involves invalidating or deflating the victim’s sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem. Emotional abuse often takes the form of constant criticism, name-calling, injuring the victim’s relationship with his/her children, or interfering with the victims abilities.
• Economic abuse takes place when the abuser makes or tries to make the victim financially reliant. Economic abusers often seek to maintain total control over financial resources, withhold the victim’s access to funds, or prohibit the victim from going to school or work.
• Psychological abuse involves the abuser invoking fear through intimidation; threatening to physically hurt himself/herself, the victim, children, the victim’s family or friends, or the pets; destruction of property; injuring the pets; isolating the victim from loved ones; and prohibiting the victim from going to school or work.
• Threats to hit, injure, or use a weapon are a form of psychological abuse.
• Stalking can include following the victim, spying, watching, harassing, showing up at the victims home or work, sending gifts, collecting information, making phone calls, leaving written messages, or appearing at a person's home or workplace. These acts individually are typically legal, but any of these behaviors done continuously results in stalking crime.
• Cyber stalking refers to online action or repeated emailing that inflicts substantial emotional distress in the recipient.”

Whew! That’s a lot to digest!  If you have a comment or experience you want to share, be assured that name and email will not appear.Blessings and strength to you,Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive!  Poppy Smith has volunteered in a domestic violence shelter and cares passionately about helping people grow spiritually and personally. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation. She is a multi-published author and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.The graphic in this post is from the Microsoft Gallery and is used with permission.