ABUSE. You Can Make the DIFFERENCE

Abuse Is WRONG Because . . .

It destroys the body

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (I Corinthians 3: 16, 17).

“But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

It lowers self-esteem

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it might benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV).

It warps the perception about God

“Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons [and daughters] of God” (I John 3:1).

It is not God’s plan for families

“ . . . The Lord desires His people to give in their homes a representation of the order and harmony that pervade the heavenly courts” (Counsels on Health, p.101).

It is not God’s plan for our lives

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

It is not God’s plan for our churches

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God”(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV).

Seventh-day Adventists affirm the dignity and worth of each human being and decry all forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and family violence (from GC Statement on Abuse and Family Violence, 1995).

What can we do?

By respecting women’s rights and empowering women, we can enrich families, communities, and nations. As we fight to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, we must preserve and nurture the human potential of every individual.

The health consequences of violence against women are also often severe and long-lasting. Violence against women and girls increases the spread of HIV. It also increases maternal and child mortality and disabilities.

For millions of women and girls around the world, their visit to a health facility is the only opportunity to get the services and support they need to begin to heal. We must continue our efforts to make public health services available to all women.

Eliminating violence against women also helps us achieve universal primary education. Education enhances knowledge, opportunity, and the enjoyment of life. It must be a priority focus. When women are educated, their health improves, the survival of their children improves, and then society is energized.

Source: http://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1100

Ministry Ideas

• Provide abuse education seminars
• Promote and form support groups
• Support women’s shelters
• Offer seminars dealing with emotional healing
• The 4th Sabbath of August each year is Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day” on the church calendar. Encourage leadership of the church to make this Sabbath a priority.

“As a leader use your influence to impact people’s attitudes. Take every opportunity to educate others. ”

Violence Against Women Cannot Wait

United Nations Secretary-General Campaign to End Violence Against Women

“Violence against women is an issue that cannot wait. A brief look at the statistics makes it clear. At least one out of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Through the practice of prenatal sex selection, countless others are denied the right even to exist. No country, no culture, no woman young or old is immune to this scourge. Far too often, the crimes go unpunished, the perpetrators walk free.

It is a campaign for the women and girls who have the right to live free of violence, today and in the future. It is a campaign to stop the untold cost that violence against women inflicts on all humankind.” —Remarks by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 25 February 2008.

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