Ep 3: We Need to Pray for Victims of Abuse

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Sheltering in place is merely uncomfortable for most of us, but for some, it is harmful and dangerous. Today, please join me in uplifting, praying for, and checking on those that are victims of abuse during this time of isolation.

Audio Transcript

Link to resources: https://www.ashleyeaster.com/abuse-prevention-response-crisis-guide 

Today’s podcast takes on a little more of a somber note. Obviously one of the top priorities here is to offer and provide encouragement to those having mental health challenges. But I think it’s equally important to remember those that are forced to endure incredibly difficult circumstances during this time of quarantine and isolation. 

And in this particular case I am specifically talking about women and children and partners that are currently waking up every single day and confronting evil and abuse and neglect within their own places of dwelling. 

There are many reports out there of increased calls to law enforcement reporting domestic violence. There are children in unruly home situations where parents are either physically abusive, emotionally abusive, verbally abusive or in some tragic cases all three. There are women and partners enduring the trauma of sexual assault on a regular basis within what is supposed to be their homes but is nothing more than shelter right now. 

Sheltering in place is not comfortable for most of us, but for some of us is quite literally unsafe. And this doesn’t minimize the challenges that anyone else is having, but I think it does require us to pause momentarily, I would hope daily, take a deep breath, and offer a word of prayer for these women and children that they would be able to endure such abuse if there is no way out of it; that law enforcement will be able to, empowered to, legally and departmentally persuaded and encouraged to remove abusers from households and have them face their due reckoning. Pray that these abusers may turn from their wicked ways and repent of the sins they are committing against individuals they have sworn to or are obligated to love and protect and serve. 

Many people have someone that they either know for sure is in an abusive relationship or has hints or common traits of a relationship that has characteristics of abuse. And I want to be incredibly clear here in that you never want to do anything that may jeopardize the safety of someone that is currently a victim of domestic violence or child abuse so in this particular case it may be worth hopping on the internet and finding some reputable sources on how to handle these types of situations. But for people that you are relatively close to, one of the things you can do is genuinely and consistently check on them. See how they’re doing. Facetime them instead of calling or texting if possible so that you can potentially get a better idea of their mood and maybe visually see if they have visible bruising. 

But at the top of my list is the need, the biblical call for us to act and live in community right now in a way that exemplifies Christian living. And so this may not be possible for a lot of people. If you’re living in a one bedroom or solo apartment it is likely a strain that you cannot undertake at this time for both practical, financial reasons but maybe also spiritual, but for those of us fortunate enough to have homes with bedrooms that are not currently being occupied or basements and other living spaces that are open for use. If you know women or children that are currently enduring any level of abuse -- physical, emotional, sexual -- my exaltation today if you can do it in a way that is safe for both the victims and for you and your family, is to open up your homes to these people and provide a safe haven for them during these troubling times.

And for anyone that knows of folks that are victims of abuse but you’re not in a position to offer personal help or assistance right now please know that that’s OK. You are not less than because you don’t have the means or aren’t healthy enough yourself to confront that. And to these folks I would simply recommend that you take a look at the available resources for folks enduring abuse in their dwelling, and that you may find a way to share these resources with victims in a way that is safe for all parties involved. You can find a list of these resources at relentless.love. On the home page you’ll see a featured post at the top that says “Mental Health Resources via COVID-19” and they’ll be a link to a series of resources that we can use to help our most vulnerable loved ones during this time. 

I want to close today with a prayer…