Ways to Help With Abuse Victims

So in one of the SBC threads this week, I was asked to try and present some solutions or tools that could help our churches and parachurch organizations with the topic of abuse. I found this article earlier today and wanted to share it with you all for input and discussion.

8 Ways SBC Churches Can Strengthen our Response to Domestic Abuse


1. Recognize the multi-faceted nature of domestic abuse, which includes not only physical violence but emotional abuse, intimidation, coercion, threats, control, isolation, manipulation, and misogyny…

2. Equip ourselves by learning from Christian counselors and leading experts on domestic violence…

3. Reject the temptation to dismiss the victim’s claims…

4. Be careful not to act too quickly…

5. Recognize the effects of domestic abuse on the victims and their children. Victims and their children suffer in many ways…

6. Denounce any interpretation of Scripture that sets up the man to be an authoritarian in his home…

7. No matter a church’s view on divorce, it should be able to recognize that Scripture does allow for separation…

8. Understand that there is a correlation between the Sexual Revolution and domestic abuse.


Justin Holcomb mentioned a checklist for people in abusive situations may also be of help; when I find it, I’ll add the link to this thread. Here are some other links from his website (www.justinholcomb.com):


• After Domestic Violence, Why Should a Christian Wife Call the Police, Not a Pastor, First?

• What Pastors Can Do about Violence in the Home

• Three Views: After Domestic Violence, Why Should a Christian Wife Call the Police, Not a Pastor, First? (paywall)

• 9 Ways to Protect Your Children from Sexual Abuse