{"id":913,"date":"2014-10-23T16:37:36","date_gmt":"2014-10-23T21:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=913"},"modified":"2015-12-03T14:33:05","modified_gmt":"2015-12-03T20:33:05","slug":"stand-against-domestic-violence-this-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/stand-against-domestic-violence-this-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Stand against Domestic Violence this Month!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Tia Upchurch-Freelove, ELCA Advocacy Director of Communications<\/div>\n
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\u200b\u200b” It is not my enemies who taunt me\u2014I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me\u2014I could hide from them. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Psalm 55:12-14\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This October, as we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month<\/strong>, we are called as a church “into a mission of love and compassion toward all peoples \u2026 to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God” (<\/em>ELCA social policy resolution: “Violence Against Women,” 1995<\/a>). <\/em>Violence against women is a widespread problem both here in the U.S. and abroad. Around the world, one in three women experience physical, sexual or psychological abuse in their lifetime (<\/em>UNIFEM report, 2003<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

We come together as Lutherans to take action by denouncing and combating the beating, sexual abuse, raping and killing<\/strong>that threaten the life and safety of women everywhere and by encouraging greater awareness<\/strong> among members of our church about all forms of violence that threaten the lives and safety of all women.<\/p>\n

Here are some important ways you can join Lutherans this month as we learn, engage with one another, spread awareness, and speak out against domestic violence:<\/p>\n

Learn and Engage\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n