Website provides faith-based tools to address abuse

a newly launched website is helping victims and survivors of abuse through tools and resources, and equipping the faith communities that support them.

The site www.AbuseResponseAndPrevention.ca is a joint initiative by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre in Winnipeg, and addresses issues such as sexual violence, online abuse and safety, family violence and clergy sexual misconduct.

“There’s a lot on the site geared toward pastors and church leaders, such as how to respond and how to make sure our churches are safe,” says Jaymie Friesen, MCC’s abuse and response prevention co-ordinator. “But for anyone who has experienced abuse, we hope [the site] will help them receive clarity.

“There’s a lot of good teaching that comes from our Christian faith that, in the context of abuse, can get really confusing. When we think of forgiveness, for example, or suffering for Christ.”

The website highlights Covid-19 resources, given the rise of domestic abuse during the pandemic. A Statistics Canada survey of more than 4,600 Canadians at the end of March found one in ten women is very or extremely concerned about the possibility of violence in the home.

Friesen, who had been facilitating a support group before Covid-19 hit, continues to meet with a group of women online to talk about how they’re coping. “What I’ve noticed is that, not only is this time difficult for people who are in an abusive situation at home, but the disconnection and lack of distraction is bringing up a lot of past trauma, and people are looking for support.”

Being able to discuss issues of abuse is important for faith communities to consider because, as Friesen says, a common misconception is that abuse is happening somewhere else. “People look to pastors and church leaders as anchors in the community, and want them to respond in a way that’s informed and can help victim survivors navigate through theological pieces of experiencing abuse.

“My deepest hope is that the Church would be a refuge for those who have experienced harm. It hasn’t always been, and I believe that can change.”