Hello friends,
These are unprecedented times that we are living in. Never before has the world faced such a challenge, or daunting problem. However, medical experts believe that the safest way to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, (COVID-19) is to stay home. However, that is not the safest option for the estimated 12 million men and women who are victims of domestic violence, or as we call it at CY CHRIST, Intimate Terrorism, or for the 6.6 million children who are victims of child abuse. And for the millions of kinds staying home and spending time online, they may not be safe either.
Intimate Terrorism
Overview: Instead of saying domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, we say intimate terrorism. Although terminology might seem unimportant, terminology can mean everything.
The word “violence” in domestic and intimate partner violence gives a picture of physical violence. However, that’s only a small part in what happens in these situations and sometimes someone can have a similar level of trauma through psychological abuse alone.
The term also helps us define stalking as part of IT and in nearly 3 out of 4 cases of stalking, the victim knows the offender in some capacity.
Resources: For those who are victims of intimate terrorism it is important for you to know that there is help, and reaching out, even in this health crisis can be simple. It can is a very difficult situation to be in, but you can reach out, and reach out safely for resources to help you.
You can visit the National Domestic Violence hotline https://www.thehotline.org to get help and resources, and use their online chat. You can also press the X on the website to safely and quickly leave the site. You can also call the hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Child Abuse
Overview: Although we do not specifically mention child abuse or neglect in our name, we recognize that a significant number of victims of faith-based sexual abuse were abused as children. We also recognize the importance of child abuse and neglect in the home. During this health crisis, millions of children have nowhere to go to escape their abuse, or no-one to look after them if they are being neglected.
You can recognize and do something about it, to keep kids safe and out of danger. It is harder to do since we’re mostly stuck at home, but it is still possible. Call and check in on family and friends, talk to your kids about telling you if their friends are acting strangely. You can find a list of signs of child abuse at https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/whatiscan.pdf.
Resources: If you know or suspect that a child is the victim of abuse or neglect you can visit https://www.childhelp.orgfor more information and call their hotline at 1-800-442-4453.
Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Overview: If you have kids, how have they been handling the pandemic? Most likely your kids are spending a lot more time online, whether that’s because their classes have been moved into an online setting or because they can spend more time getting better and advancing in their favorite computer game (remember, I’m a just turned 18), or socializing with friends.
Although being online can seem safe and harmless, cyberspace can be anything but, and when it comes to children, there can be predators lurking. Child predators have been using the internet almost since it’s creation to prey on children and they can virtually abuse and exploit them. Offenders usually prey on online gaming platforms or social media sites masquerading to be in the same age group of the victims they’re looking for. They try to talk to potential victims and in games they try to help them out to earn a victim’s trust and gain attention.
From there they can groom the victim and eventually convince them to send a compromising picture to the offender and that’s all it takes: one picture that they don’t want people to see. Then the offender can use that picture as blackmail by threatening to show it to the victim’s parents, posting it on social media or the internet to obtain more pictures or videos and are more compromising. Victims feel trapped, helpless, embarrassed and ashamed of the situation and are afraid to tell someone about it.
Resources to Respond: If a child or teen you know is the victim of this “Sexploitation” let them know that it is not their fault and they are not in trouble. Tell them you’re there to help and make sure they can get help. Report the exploitation to the FBI by going to https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices to find and call the nearest field office or by calling the FBI’s hotline at 855-835-5324.They can stop the abuse and bring the offender to justice, as well as provide victim services to the victim to help heal.
Resources to Prevent: You can prevent online child sexual exploitation by having open discussions with your child about internet safety and the dangers of the internet, social media, online gaming, etc.
By monitoring their internet activity, enabling restrictions, keeping electronics like a desktop computer in a main area of the house. You can be a friend to them and be interested (not interrogative) about what they play, how they play it, if and who their friends are, etc. Make sure they know they will not be in trouble if they are in this situation and that they shouldn’t be afraid to talk to you. For more information visit https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/school-closings-due-to-covid-19-present-potential-for-increased-risk-of-child-exploitation.
In Closing
We can and will get through this difficult time together. By looking out for one another on the public health fronts, e.g. staying home, wearing masks, washing hands, and on the fronts of mental health, and physical and relationship well being. Stay safe and stay strong. Remember you be the help, or you can get help. There are people who are ready to help.
Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org 1-800-799-7233
Childhelp National Abuse Hotline: https://www.childhelp.org 1-800-442-4453
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices 855-835-5324
List of Helplines for Victims provided by OVC.ORG:
Bible Texts:
Isaiah 41:10
Exodus 15:2
Matthew 11:28
Psalm 27:1
John 16:33
Proverbs 17:17