Summary
Lorrie Wasyliw, executive director of W.I.N.G.S. (Women in Need of Gaining Strength).
Summary
Lorrie starts with a story of her interactions with a woman who was in the emergency room at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. This woman required medical attention after some domestic abuse.
Lorrie goes on to discuss how the physical pain isn’t what we should be focusing on, but instead we should be focusing on the invisible damage, and the life situation of the victim. What brought her to this situation and how can she be supported.
Lorrie provides statics.
– 50% of all women in Canada will experience some form of domestic abuse
– 1 in 4 women in Canada will experience the abuse from a partner.
– 1 in 10 Canadian women report being stalked
A startling realisation is that the above statics from Stats Canada are the same as the stats for Canadian churches.
Lorrie points out that abuse isn’t just for the “poor” or the “losers of society.” Abuse is across all societal statuses.
Who are the abusers? Lorrie discusses the shocking notion that they aren’t the “jerks of our society.” Abusers could be anyone.
What abuse isn’t: Just an immature relationship between two immature people (young).
What abuse is: a case of power and control of one person over another.
Looking at this from God’s Word. God calls for loving, and responsible, relationships. (See attached PDF)
Lorrie also touches on the responsibility men have been given by God to “lay down his life for his wife.”
Resources
Is violence against women still a problem in Canada (PDF).
God speaks out against violence (PDF)
About the Taboo Series
The Taboo Series was started in Feb of 2015 with the purpose to bring to light all the topics we like to hide in the dark. This series of messages covers the most awkward topics in church culture.
About the Speaker
Lorrie serves as a secretary and treasurer of Baptist Housing. Lorrie serves as the Executive Director of W.I.N.G.S. Fellowship Ministries, a non-profit society providing shelter and support to women and children fleeing violence. She has been a Director of W.I.N.G.S. since 1995.