Signs to Intervene When You Recognize the Domestic Abuse

The signs of abuse are not always a bloodied, black-eyed victim. Quite often, they are much more subtle. This is why pastoral teams need to be trained to recognize a number of possible signs:

• A woman in your church gives a suspicious reason for the cause of her bruises.
• That same woman seems to keep having bruises that raise questions from others.
• A victim blames herself for her bruises, claiming she's simply a klutz.
• A victim seems frequently anxious.
• A once-vital member is slipping away into depression.
• A woman seems overly passive or withdrawn.
• You spot control issues in a relationship.
• A woman is constantly putting herself down.

Of course, by themselves, most of these are not necessarily signs of abuse. Still, training will heighten your sensitivity to situations that simply are not right. When you recognize that something is not right, take the victim aside and ask her about those bruises. Challenge her answers if they raise your suspicions. Let her know she can trust you with her secrets and her safety.