Belief systems can allow or excuse violence. As such, it is very important to understand and challenge our beliefs in a safe, respectful environment. The Women of Faith Support Group provides an opportunity for women to look at their faith and understand what they believe about interpersonal relationships.
This support group offers a safe place to talk about your fears, frustrations and confusion in a faith-based setting. Confidentiality is a must, and sharing in the discussion is encouraged but certainly not required. You may join the group at any time and leave any time. Whatever commitment you make to attend is yours.
Meeting Time: Every Thursday from 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Meeting Place: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Room 213
(Located south of Grand Rapids on Hwy. 169, across from Home Depot. Please use the upper parking lot behind the church and use the back entrance for privacy.)
Feel free to bring your religious text.
For more information about the group, please contact Nancy Sauer at Advocates for Family Peace:
(218) 326-0388
1-800-909-8336
Education and discussion topics include:
 | Critical thinking |
| Why are batterers so powerful? |
| Effects of battering on women |
| Where do men learn to batter? |
| Victim blaming - What is it? |
| Tactics of men who batter |
| When our survival skills turn on us |
| The power to force submission |
| Women's anger |
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Mind games |
Statistics
Wife abuse occurs in religious homes. For every 60 married women in a church, 10 are suffering from emotional and verbal abuse, and 2 or 3 will be physically abused by their husbands. Some are married to church leaders, deacons, or pastors.
How to Help a Friend Who is Being Abused
| Be careful for her safety and don't place her in more danger by overly interceding. Quietly and discreetly comfort her, pray with and for her, and carefully lead her to the help and the door out that she may be seeking. Confidentiality is essential. |
| You can share with her how precious and valuable she is in the eyes of God. Remember that women in an abusive home and their children may have very restricted behavior that they have learned in order to avoid more abuse. |
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Be careful not to threaten the balance she has learned to survive in, while encouraging her to seek safety. |