Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers

Description

Scriptural orientation and practical hints that enable us to encourage people to live lives free from manipulation and pain.

Tragically, on average the police receive a call related to domestic abuse every 30 seconds. This is a hidden and terrifying phenomenon, sadly prevalent in churches as well as the wider community. Spouses, partners, parents and (older) children are the perpetrators.

But what should you do if you suspect someone in your church is a domestic abuse victim? How can you help them?

This practical, sensitively written guide empowers church leaders and members to walk with suffers, and deal this massive, but hidden problem prevalent in churches and wider communities. It offers lasting solutions to help bring victims to a place of freedom and peace, and reassures us that there is a way out and they can find real hope in Christ.

Contents

• Series preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Section 1: Listening to the pain
• 1. Hidden realities
• 2. People or objects?
• 3. The hopelessness trap
• 4. What is God like?
• Section 2: Speaking words of transformation
• 5. Stay or go?
• 6. Pursuing change
• 7. Speaking of a bigger God
• 8. Changing mirrors
• Section 3: Encouraging practical change
• 9. Into the light
• 10. Brand-new lives
• 11. Looking to the future
• 12. Fallout and freedom
• Postscript
• Appendix A: Disclosure of abuse flow chart
• Appendix B: Sample domestic abuse notice
• Appendix C: Prayers for the abused
• Appendix D: Useful resources and organizations
• Notes