Say, NO, to violence against women

Saying, “no” to violence against women is an act of justice. Violence against women is an issue in Canada and around the globe. The numbers and gravity of the issue brings it into the realm of a global epidemic. Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Up to 53 percent of women in the world are physically abused by their intimate partners. In 2010, in Nova Scotia, there were 3,255 victims of spousal/intimate partner violence. Eighty percent were women. Women and child often experience sexual violence as a consequence of war. Most recently, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo alone, more than 400,000 cases of sexual violence, mostly involving women and girls, has been documented -- a rate of 48 women an hour. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal activity in the world, involving 27 million men, women and children. Over 80% is sex trafficking and that means predominately, violence against women and children. Studies and observations of societies around the globe illustrate a gender imbalance that leads to dominance and often violence. The violence against women is a foundational justice issue and a call for the entire community, to act.

The Lord calls us to action. In Proverbs 31: 8-9, He says, “Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!" Justice takes a step to look deeper at the problem and works at making the wrong, right. Justice is doing the right thing at the right time. Justice is love in action. That action makes room for demonstrated transformation, a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. Violence against women causes us to look deeper. It is also one of those issues that takes the entire community working together to address the core issues, ask the right questions and ultimately, do something about it. Doing something about the issue of violence against women will deeply affect families, communities, and our missional activities in the nations.

In our own backyard, domestic violence is an issue that touches many of us. Domestic violence is abusive and harmful behavior between spouses, domestic partners or those in dating relationships. It occurs in urban as well as rural communities. Domestic violence does not discriminate. It affects people of every race, religion, gender, sexuality or socioeconomic status. Family violence exists in our Church communities, as well. The numbers demonstrate that, family violence is as prevalent within religious/spiritually based communities as it is within the general population. How aware of this reality, are we?

Where do you start with an issue that spans the globe and affects every human being on the planet? Who do we blame? Where do we begin? You start with yourself, your own heart. Looking back, I realize that my view as a young man were incorrect. Things in my heart were amiss. How "normal" or commonplace is this experience? It is far more than any of us would like to admit. Some 56% of Canadian adolescents rated child abuse as their top societal concern (Bibby, 2001). It is a problem for all of us. Though the majority of the control and dominance goes from men to women, together we hold the solution. My wife and I, together, have been trying to work out the solution for our four daughters for 20 years. May their reality be very different than ours. 

 

Some reading this may be feeling that I am being too harsh. My words may appear sharp or perhaps, negative. But it is time. We need to call it what it is. Look around at the messages and think back to the stereotypes in the last few generations. May God begin with his body, the Church. And gentlemen, we need to take the lead. For me it has taken years of effort, honesty, humility, and slow gradual change- starting with my attitudes and beliefs. My view of God, myself, women, power & control, taking responsibility versus being right….all of it needed to change. It started with me. We need to look within our own hearts and attitudes to seek justice. Doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way is justice lived out. May each of us be a safe place for women and children to loved, respected, contribute, and be everything that God wants them to be.

As for our communities, may we be safe places for change. As we work towards bringing God’s Kingdom into our work places, neighbourhoods and the nations, may we be aware of the deeper issues of injustice. What do the women and children face in the countries that I have a burden for? How is our work in the said country, aiding in the justice issues around women and children? How can we partner with women and children to see God’s glory displayed and His Kingdom established in our communities and in the nations?

Isa 1: 12- 17(MSG) “…you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong.  Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.”