Domestic Violence

Domestic abuse is commonplace in may parts of the world and is pervasive in Zambia as well. The churches we work with acknowledge that wife battering is commonplace but few churches are ready to take a strong stance against it.  It is an ugly, ever-present issue in the life of the church that continues to scar individuals, marriages and families.  More than one in ten married women in Zambia has experienced physical violence in the last three months, and a far higher number has been assaulted at least once during marriage. Many men believe that having control over the life of a woman, is an element of masculinity. Even though most men and women formally acknowledge that the abuse of women is not acceptable behavior, practically speaking, they find it acceptable for a man to use violence to control his wife, “girlfriend”, and children.

The CROSS Project is now addressing issues broader than HIV/AIDS, even though it still remains the centerpiece of our ministry.  Domestic abuse is addressed in our sixteen week curriculum, but we believe the church in Zambia needs to give much more immediate attention to this issue.  We exist to help ready churches to overcome the silence and stigma on numerous issues, including domestic abuse.  The churches we work with acknowledge that wife battering is commonplace but few churches are ready to take a strong stance against it.  We want to do more and may expand in this area in the near future.

Until then, we ask that you be in prayer for us as we contemplate this area of ministry.  Please take time to educate yourself about this issue and find ways to promote change.  Be sure to watch the following informative presentation put together by the New York Times on Domestic Abuse. The setting for this slideshow is Lagos, Nigeria. What is shocking, is that the situation is the same in Zambia and most of sub-Saharan Africa. For further information on ministry to abused women please see Abigails Support Group