Domestic violence affects one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours and can significantly impact one’s mental stability. God’s intention is that we should love and serve one another and not bite and devour one another. Read Galatians 5:13-15

Psychological effects include: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and dissociation.

Physical effects include: injuries, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle tension, involuntary shaking, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, sexual dysfunction, issues with menstrual cycle or fertility.

According to a study done by the Center for Disease Control, nearly 3 in every 10 women, about 32 million, and 1 in 10 men in the United States experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner (See more at the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2011).

Causes of Domestic Violence: power struggle, inability to resolve conflicts, lack of accountability, lack of protection under the laws and misuse of the scriptures. The genesis of violence is Genesis 4:4-8.

Forms of Violence include: Physical, sexual, economic, emotional and spiritual

1. Tension Build-Up
2. Battering incident
3. Honeymoon

Why do women stay in abuse? Security, can’t make it alone, love for the abuser, economic reasons, the child/children, social status “I miss socializing with his friends”, threats “If you ever leave me I’ll find you and kill you”, loneliness “I need to talk to someone”, other people’s opinions, denial.

Why do men stay in abuse? The need for sexual satisfaction, afraid she will be involved with someone else, fear of losing property, the belief that being physically stronger he can get his wife to submit, don’t want to lose his child/children, his religion will not permit it.

Before marriage, insist that the abusive fiancée/fiancé seek help. If you are married, confront the abuser, break the silence and talk about it. Find a place of safety if you feel threatened. Find trusted friends and professionals to support you.

Seek professional help. Discover the reasons he/she is abusive. Identify the triggers. Be sober. Make a firm commitment “No more abuse”. Remember Human Will + Divine Power = Spiritual Victory. See Proverbs 28:13 & James 5:16

Domestic Violence is a major problem. All classes of people are affected by it; it affects the rich and the poor, adults as well as children. Often the abusers are religious persons, but the Bible condemns violence in the home. No one deserves to be abused. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-5