|
“the family is the first and indispensable teacher of peace.”
Domestic violence is defined as “a pattern of abusive behaviors in a romantic relationship or between family members.” It comes in different forms of abuse: mental, verbal, physical, and spiritual. It does not discriminate. It has no economic, social, ethnic, cultural, religious, age or gender boundaries. It places a heavy burden on one’s mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Often domestic violence comes from households of controlling and dominating persons who instill fear, confusion, and co-dependency into their victims. They treat others as objects. With intimidating power, they prey on the weaknesses of others and deny them a protective and safe environment. Such surroundings truly prevent victims from developing authentically as human beings. They convey to the victims that they are not worthy of the love, dignity and respect that they deserve and to which they have a right.
It is important to note that “domestic violence is not a one-time incident and many find that the abuse occurs in a repeating cycle. Each act of abuse may be followed by an apology, or the abusive partner may blame others for the abuse. As the relationship continues, the abuse may get worse and occur more frequently.” In such conditions, especially for children, our fear is that in their adult life, they will follow in the same footsteps as those before them.
Christians cannot close their eyes to the injustice of domestic violence. In his 2008 World Day of Peace message, Pope Benedict XVI noted that “the family is the first and indispensable teacher of peace. It is no wonder, therefore, that violence, if perpetrated in the family, is seen as particularly intolerable.”
The prophet Micah urges us to do what is good and what God requires of us: “Only to do the right and to love goodness and to walk humbly before God.” This is what we must do, and this is what victims of domestic violence ask of us. They ask to be treated with love and dignity.
Br. Warren Perrotto, MSC
JPIC Coordinator
Sources:
- Safe Space Organization, http://www.thesafespace.org/the-basics/relationships-101/about-domestic-violence/?gclid=CKfziM3fkKsCFciC5QodcUd9xw
- Ibid.
- No. 3.
- Micha 6:8.
|
