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What Pastors Can Do about Violence in the Home

How to help victims of domestic abuse.
What Pastors Can Do about Violence in the Home
Image: Chuttersnap

At least one in four women is a victim of domestic abuse in her lifetime. And research shows that Christian women stay far longer in abusive situations and in more severe abuse than their non-Christian counterparts.

My wife, Lindsey, served as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter, and together we provide crisis intervention to victims of abuse. As we've conducted training to service providers and churches, we've found that pastors want to help those being hurt by domestic violence, but they don't always know how.

Ministers can offer immense help and support. Those suffering domestic abuse need care on various levels—practical, spiritual, emotional—from pastors. Responding effectively and referring victims to advocacy services results in fewer violence-related injuries and saves lives.Here are some of the most common questions we receive from ministers.

What is domestic abuse?

In our book, Is It My Fault? Lindsey and I define domestic abuse as "a pattern ...

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