Domestic Violence - A Present and Ancient Problem

The Bible records the first horrific act of family violence in the story of Cain killing his brother Abel. God saw the anger that Cain was mistakenly harboring towards Abel.  God talked with Cain. God told Cain that he had an opportunity to correct his mistake. Consumed by jealousy Cain refused to change his attitude. . Cain continued to make Abel the target of his wrath. Cain chose rage over reason. He overpowered and killed his unsuspecting and innocent brother.

Everything in creation was affected by Cain’s solitary action. Cain’s violence brought death to Abel, the disapproval of God, grief to the parents and a disillusioned life of hardship to himself. Even the earth found itself an unwilling participant as it was forced to receive Abel’s blood. Family violence has never been a confidential matter between the abuser and the abused. It disrupts life on so many levels and causes physical, mental, emotional and social pain to everyone. The injured party is no longer able to contribute to society as a fully functional member offering her/his gifts to a world that needs them.

Family violence causes emotional wounds to those who may not be the direct focus of aggression, but are still exposed to a violent environment. Family violence mentally impairs the perpetrator, who drowns out the voice of reason and God to not inflict pain on another human being. Family violence stamps out potential for future generations as it did to Abel. Family violence is usually carried out in secret and private behind closed doors, but it does not remain in one place.

How do we stop these insidious actions? Educate! We do so by shining light on this topic. Educate the survivors that they are just that, a prey of someone else’s unacceptable behavior, not a cause of it. Abel was not the cause of Cain’s behavior. Cain’s irrational jealousy and anger towards Abel was of his own making. Educate the perpetrator that he/she has a choice to consider the other as a person with dignity more than as an object of abuse. In essence, God told Cain that he was responsible for his own behavior and could change the outcome of his life.

Educate the community that family violence affects everyone, not just the persons being abused. The effects of family violence touch everyone because each person brings unique talents to a community and is not able to do so when cowering in fear and hiding. Educate the community that we all have a responsibility to acknowledge the fact that family violence takes place in every community regardless of socioeconomic standing.

Educate our young children that they are worthy human beings who do not deserve to be abused. Educate them to take responsibility for their actions not to harm others in actions or words. Educate our lawmakers that family violence damages all aspects of our community. The abusers must feel the weight of justice. As God demanded Cain to take responsibility for his actions, so we, as a society, must hold each other accountable for how we respond to those who are survivors of family violence.

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper."                                                                                   Genesis 4: 8-9

Yes, I am my brother's, sister's, neighbor's keeper when it comes to assisting them from being a victim of abuse. Are you?