The COVID pandemic has revealed a sad reality: domestic violence is present in varying degrees in many Christian families, too.
In 2022, 1 in 3 women was a victim of gender-based violence in the European Union. 1 in 10 women has been a victim of sexual violence, and 1 in 20 has been raped. This is just some of the data showing the dramatic situation of violence against women in Europe.
Should the Adventist Church have been under the impression that it is not affected to a great extent by this subject, except for a few isolated cases? The situation has changed and the development observed over the last two years is disturbing.
The EUD Women’s Ministries Department has developed several local actions related to domestic violence. Psychological support groups, discussion groups, and reinforced accompaniment for certain delicate situations have been developed. An awareness campaign against violence in all its forms has been conducted in the churches to reach all members.
In Brussels
Continuing these actions, on Saturday, January 21, the Women's Ministries department leader of the Brussels central church, Angela Nitu, organized a program for all the members of the church as well as guests. The message presented, Abuse of Power, found an echo in the hearts of many people. One young couple said, "We will go home and discuss this theme to avoid any kind of abuse in our lives."
The church service—with its liturgy, the orchestra, and the way that the young people of the church were highlighted—made this day very impressive. The afternoon’s fellowship meal and the subsequent sincere discussions around this topic showed the desire to live the faith and an exemplary spiritual life.
As in Brussels, the EUD Women's Ministries Department is planning many other events aimed at raising the level of awareness of this problem.
More about EndItNow
enditnow is a global initiative to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence around the world. It aims to mobilize Seventh-day Adventists around the world and invites other community groups to join in resolving this worldwide issue.
This initiative, which extends to more than 200 countries and territories, was launched in October 2009 in partnership between the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the Department of Women’s Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
enditnow is the most important stand the Seventh-day Adventist Church has ever taken regarding violence against men, women, and children. Through this campaign, more than 15 million Adventist church members—men, women, and children—are expected to create a global movement that will be mobilized within their own communities, where each person will actively work to create awareness and share solutions on ways to end this global problem.
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