Breaking the Startling Silence: A Faith-Based Response to Domestic Violence

 

How To Get Help

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. 

National Domestic Violence Hotlin
800-799-SAFE (7233)
800-787-3224 (TTY)
Advocates are also available to chat 24/7.

National Center for Victims of Crim
855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846)

StrongHearts Native Helpline
844-762-8483 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to shine light into the dark places where fear and silence have long reigned. For too many women, home is not a place of peace but of pain. Behind closed doors, many suffer emotional, physical, verbal, or spiritual abuse—often feeling trapped, ashamed, or unseen.

As Christian women, it is vital that we face this reality with compassion and truth. The Church must not turn away. God’s heart is for justice, healing, and restoration. He does not call His daughters to live in fear or abuse—but to walk in freedom and dignity as His beloved children.

📖 “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 KJV

What Domestic Violence Looks Like

Domestic violence is not always physical. It can include emotional manipulation, control, isolation, financial restriction, intimidation, or spiritual misuse. Abuse distorts love into fear and control—but love that reflects God’s character never harms, demeans, or dominates.

📖 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV

If love is not kind, it is not from God.

God’s Truth About Your Worth

Lie-Locked Living tells a woman, “This is your fault. You have no choice. You must endure this.”

But God’s Truth declares:

“You are precious in my sight.” — Isaiah 43:4 KJV
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14 KJV
“You are not alone.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV

You are never meant to be diminished or destroyed by someone who claims to love you. God’s heart breaks over injustice—and He calls His people to protect the vulnerable and bring healing to the hurting.

The Church’s Call to Respond

As followers of Christ, we must be the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering in silence. Listening, believing, and offering safe help can make the difference between despair and deliverance.

📖 “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” — Isaiah 1:17 KJV

If someone comes to you with their story, listen without judgment. Remind them that God’s love does not condone abuse—and that help and hope are available.

Finding Freedom and Healing

Healing begins when the truth is brought into the light. That may mean confiding in a trusted pastor, counselor, or friend; seeking safety; or contacting a local domestic violence hotline. Help is available, and no one should face this alone.

💜 If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org .

God restores what has been broken. He is near to the hurting, and He replaces fear with peace, shame with dignity, and despair with hope.

📖 “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3 KJV

For Survivors: The Path to Renewal

Healing after abuse takes time and grace. The Truth Mindset™ framework—Target the Lie, Replace with Scripture, Understand its Meaning, Turn it into a Declaration, Hold it in Prayer—can help women replace lies of fear and shame with the truth of God’s Word.

✨ Truth Declaration:
I am not defined by what was done to me. I am defined by who God says I am—loved, redeemed, and restored in Christ.

A Call to the Faith Community

Let us be women who bring healing where there has been harm. Let us listen more, judge less, and act quickly to protect those in danger. Let us model Christ’s compassion, truth, and courage.

Together, we can help end the silence and build a culture of safety, dignity, and peace for every woman.

📖 “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” — Proverbs 31:25 KJV

Breaking the Startling Silence: A Faith-Based Response to Domestic Violence