Domestic Violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is the use of physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and/or financial abuse by a person to control their partner’s actions.  Psychological intimidation, fear, threats, isolation, withholding sex, and financial restrictions are some of the tactic’s abusers use to exert power and control over their intimate partners. 

Domestic Violence can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, religion, marital status, socio-economic status, or education.  It is criminal behavior that may result in serious injury, hospitalization, and/or death.  Women of color suffer abuse at the hands of their intimate partners at disproportionately high rates.  Often children of women living in abusive relationships are abused as well.  

We cannot stand silently while the well-being of our family members, friends, and neighbors is threatened by this plague in our communities.  We cannot continue to shroud domestic violence in secrecy by calling it “private family business”.  As a community of Believers, we must provide a safe, supportive environment for survivors and their children to access resources and services.  We must also offer abusive partners a compassionate pathway toward healing from their destructive behavior.