Safeguarding

Domestic Abuse

Safe at Home - Saying 'No!' to Domestic Abuse

The Seventh-day Adventist Church places great importance on family life and affirms the dignity and worth of each human being. It decries all forms of physical, spiritual, economic, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse. Such behaviour undermines our biblical and moral values and destroys the trust between people within our community.

Please download our Safe at Home - Domestic Abuse Policy and Procedures.

Introduction
Section A - Aims of this Policy
Section B - Policy Statement
Section C - The Nature and Impact of Domestic Abuse
Section D – Areas of Responsibility in the Local Church
Section E - Training for Church Leaders
Section F - Collaboration with Outside Agencies
Section G - How Can Churches Address Domestic Abuse
Section H - What To Do When A Disclosure Is Made
Section I - Domestic Abuse and the Criminal Justice System
Section J - Mental Health and Domestic Abuse
Section K - Follow Up and Record Keeping
Section L - Safety of Church Workers
Section M - Pastoral Support for Perpetrators
References and Resources
Appendix 1 - General Conference Statement on Abuse and Family Violence
Appendix 2 - The Church’s Charter on Domestic Abuse
Appendix 3 - Flowchart - How to Respond to a Domestic Abuse Disclosure
Appendix 4 - Domestic Abuse and the Bible
Appendix 5 - Challenging Misconceptions About Domestic Abuse 
Appendix 6 - Responding to Domestic Abuse – Recording Sheet
Appendix 7 - When to Refer
Appendix 8 - Domestic Violence Personalized Safety Plan 
Appendix 9 - Personal Safety Precautions for Pastoral Carers
Appendix 10 - Confidentiality and Data Protection

Jointly with our sister department Women's Ministries, we support the End It Now initiative which seeks to end of all types of abuse against women globally. For more information visit www.adventistwomensministries.org and click on EnditNow. The annual Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day material can also be found on this site. Informative leaflets on this topic can also be downloaded.

VIDEO PRESENTATIONS ON DOMESTIC ABUSE

Domestic Abuse in the Church

Spiritual Abuse in Marriage

5 Myths About Domestic Abuse

Why Survivors of Abuse Stay

Holding Abusers Accountable

Emotional Abuse

Setting Boundaries with Abusers

Verbal Abuse

Gaslighting

Sexual Abuse in Marriage

Male Victims of Domestic Abuse