The Christian Network
to End Domestic Abuse
(CNEDA)
The Christian Network to End Domestic Abuse
(CNEDA)
One tragic consequence of the Covid19 pandemic has been the dramatic rise in domestic abuse cases across the world. Lockdown has meant that perpetrators have 24 hour a day access to their victims; and the victims – mainly women and children – have no way out. In May 2020, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called it a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence”.
The surge in cases and reporting on the topic has opened discussion in churches communities as never before.
How should Christians respond to abuse and pain in families? How should they counsel women and men caught in abusive relationships?
The Christian Network to End Domestic Abuse aims to bring together experts on domestic violence to encourage new learning, sharing of resources and to promote a Biblical response to the pain of the victims, mainly woman and children; and the abusive behaviour of perpetrators, mainly men.
One of the first actions of CNEDA has been to update a WEA booklet on A Biblical Response to end Domestic Abuse. It aims to help us all understand what the Bible says about healthy relationships and how to prevent abuse. It aims to equip local church leaders to identify the issues, to affirm loving relationships and to respond with care to cases of abuse.
European Evangelical Alliance on the Istanbul Convention
Evangelical Alliance of the Caribbean Women's Commission Conference
Dr Joy Wilson for Guyana spoke to women in the Caribbean EA last week about the secret scandal of abuse and incest. The Covid 19 Pandemic has exposed the increase in domestic violence in many homes across the Caribbean. Joy Wilson, a survivor of incest herself, will bring an awareness of the pain and trauma that incest can have on a child and its future. She will also share how evangelical churches can be models of restoration and comfort by bringing peace and purpose to the lives of those abused. This is an important conversation.