The Horror of Domestic Abuse

Liz Herrera de Cabezas was only 16 years old the first time she encountered a woman living in the terror of domestic violence. Bruises, broken bones, and insults were part of her friend’s everyday life.

Being the only “Christian” from their group of friends, she thought she should say something, but for weeks she did not know what to say or to do.

“I had heard about and read about things like this but had never personally had to face it. I was infinitely grateful to God for keeping me safe from growing up in an environment like that, but I felt so alienated from knowing what to do to help my friend in her situation. It was one of those very frustrating times when no Scripture, words, or prayer seem sufficient. I had more questions than answers,” writes de Cabezas in the most recent newsletter for the Strategy of Transformation.

Joel Van Dyke, a Christian Reformed World Missions missionary, is director of the Strategy of Transformation, which is a strategic partnership between CRWM and the Center for Transforming Mission (CTM). The idea behind the initiative is “to empower, equip, and mobilize grassroots leaders who serve those who have been wrongly labeled the least, the last, and the lost in marginalized and vulnerable communities.”

Recently, says de Cabezas, the Strategy of Transformation (Estrategia de Transformación in Spanish) partnered with several other organizations to hold a special consultation in Guatemala on violence against women. Although the topic has been widely documented and discussed in society at large, many of the churches had not gotten involved and were not drawing attention to it.

In hopes of stimulating more action and advocacy on the part of churches, a group of ministries joined together for two days to listen, learn, discuss, and analyze different aspects of this problem.

“The consultation was designed to reflect on how to see women through the eyes of God. A God who created us all, male and female, in his image and likeness, with a purpose and unique design,” writes de Cabezas.

Nearly 400 people – including lawyers, members of Christian organizations, pastors, teachers, non-government organization, and governmental representatives – were present.

“It was shocking to hear of the horror stories many have had to endure who have dedicated their lives to support the cause for women’s rights and the fight for justice,” writes de Cabezas.

In two days, they hardly scratched the surface of the issue. But they did discuss action plans and opportunities.

“We talked about immediate needs before, during, and after learning about violence against women. We heard about challenges and stories of transformation,” she writes.

Also helpful were the daily biblical texts that Van Dyke used to lead morning devotions. These “laid down a theological baseline for the conversations,” she says.

“There is still a long journey ahead for the church to walk, but steps are being taken in the right direction… It encourages and strengthens me to know that there are people standing up and willing to enter into the chaos of this situation where the Holy Spirit is hovering inviting us to join the dance. I am honored to walk with them, together seeking to give voice to those who have no voice.”

Liz Herrera de Cabezas said her abused friend was able to find hope in her situation, but so many others never do.

Last year in Guatemala, there were 15,375 reports of violence against women, of which only 218 reached any kind of verdict. This is less than 2 percent of the complaints. Last year there were more than 4,300 reported rapes. A total of 174 women have been murdered in Guatemala during just the first three months of this year.

“For most people these are just numbers in the newspapers; but they aren’t nameless in the eyes of God and they cry out for justice,” writes de Cabezas.

Today, when she meets and talks with women in one of the difficult communities that the group serves, she realizes how far society is from actually addressing and solving the horrific, sometimes fatal issue of domestic abuse.

“It is exhausting and heartbreaking to hear over and over again the voices of women telling their stories and searching desperately for a way out or simply resigning to their circumstances. Sometimes it seems that for every one strong woman with healthy self-esteem and potential in my world, there are three or four that are being battered, victims of domestic violence, abuse, and lack of opportunities,” she writes.