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Infographics
WITHIN FOUR WALLS Evangelicals and Domestic Violence in Cordoba, Argentina Infographics WITHIN FOUR WALLS Evangelicals and Domestic Violence in Cordoba, Argentina Infographics © Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope International) © Comunidad y Cambio (Community and Change) Villa María, Cordoba, Argentina E-mail: [email protected] www.comunidadycambio.org November 2014 Team Coordinator: Graciela de Celis – Social Communicator Leticia Pérez de Celis – Social Worker; Aylen Tymoszczuk – Psychologist Local Researchers: Vanina García, Melisa Sánchez, Eduardo Zar, Máximo Siles, Elda Acosta, Aylen Tymoszczuk, Graciela de Celis, Leticia Pérez de Celis, Eduardo Robayna. Researcher: Paz y Esperanza Internacional: Social Psychologist Mauricio Calderón C. With the support of: PRESENTATION There is no doubt that Evangelical churches and other social groups work intensively in the strengthening of families. However, it is also undeniable that domestic violence is a horrible reality within Argentinian homes. Are Christian families acting as protective environments for the adults and children who are part of them? And most important, how can we put an end to domestic violence? One important step is to be aware of the things that happen within the walls of the home. In doing so, we will be able to foster homes where good treatment of men, women and children may become a reality. Therefore, Comunidad y Cambio —in partnership with RESTORES and Paz y Esperanza— carried out a research in 2013 to determine whether violence is present within Evangelical families in the Province of Cordoba. The purpose of this study is to improve the pastoral practices of helping families and fighting all kinds of partner violence. This research gathered the insights of 359 people through surveys, focus groups and in-depth interviews. We’re grateful for the pastors, secular leaders, and professing Evangelical women and men who took part in this study. Here we share the highlighted outcomes of this research as well as the proposed recommendations. You can download the full report on the website: www.comunidadycambio.org 3 WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? According to the definition provided by the Violence against Women Act [26495], it is “any violent action against women perpetrated by a family member, regardless of the place. It might affect the dignity, welfare physical, psychological, sexual, financial or patrimonial integrity, and freedom —including reproductive freedom and right to women’s full development—. A family member is understood as a relative up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, marriage, unmarried partners, couples or dating couples. It includes current or past relationships. Cohabitation is not a requirement”. This Act also states the different expressions of domestic violence 4 Physical Violence Used against a woman’s body causing pain, hurt or risk of harm; and any other form of mistreatment or aggression which may affect her physical integrity. Psychological Violence It causes emotional harm and a lowered self-esteem. It harms or disturbs the full personal development. It pursues degrading or controlling her actions, behaviours, beliefs and decisions through using threats, harassment, restriction, humiliation, dishonour, disrepute, manipulation or isolation. Sexual Violence Any action which involves all forms of violation of a woman’s right to decide voluntarily about her sexual or reproductive life –whether genital intercourse or not– by using threats, coercion, physical force or intimidation, including rape within marriage or other bonding or kinship relationships –whether a couple are cohabiting or not– such as forced prostitution, exploitation, slavery, harassment, sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Financial and Patrimonial Violence Aimed to undermine women’s financial or patrimonial resources through the disturbance of the possession, tenure or ownership of her properties, loss, subtraction, destruction, retention or embezzlement of objects, working tools, personal documents, assets, shares and patrimonial law, and Symbolic Violence Domination, inequality and discrimination are transmitted and reproduced in social relationships by using stereotyped patterns, messages, values, icons or signs. It normalizes women’s subordination in society. IS THE FAITH A PROTECTIVE ELEMENT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? “In marriage we’re submitted to one another in love. Therefore, he should look after me and so will I. He should decide, I have to support him. However, when I decide, he supports me as well.” (Focal Group for Female leaders and pastors) “I think there are many churches where the verse “Wives, submit to your husbands” is taken out of context —when you’re going through a violence situation— and they send you back home.” (GF Battered women) ”“The submission of woman is to respect man and make sure he is respected at home (...) I think it’s something mutual. The woman ensures respect and establishes her principles. She submits to her husband, but voluntarily”. (Director) “From Biblical literalism, there is a prime place for the paradigmatic text of Genesis 1 — but I think this is the text that makes justice—. The other text is the one about the rib (…) it has been read from a patriarchal perspective as well.” (FG Male pastors and leaders). “God loves me so much that it wouldn’t matter if I break a marriage because I’m battered. I think of God as my dad. He suffered greatly for what I went through. So I think He doesn’t want, he didn’t want that to happen.” (GF Battered women) “My wife was talking about this topic in a radio program and three pastors’ wives called within the hour, among many people. They were women who experienced physical violence. While one of them was talking, she suddenly hung up.” (FG pastors and leaders) 5 THE SAMPLE Quantitative results were taken from the answers of men and women who are part of ecclesial communities from the Province of Cordoba. They answered a 35 questions survey about knowledge of the concept of domestic violence, risk factors, frequency of violence in Evangelical homes, coping mechanisms for dealing with violence and religiosity scale. 359 participants, 160 are men and 199 are women Of the El 40,6% are high-school graduate 47,6% are university graduates 11,8% are primary school dropouts or didn’t complete primary schooling 31,5% are 31 to 40 years old 15,7% are under 30 years old 52,8% are over the age of 40 Evangelical groups included in this research are Historical Protestants (4%), Evangelical Protestants (27,4%), Pentecostals and Neo-Pentecostals (68,6%). 6 23,2% of the participants have been attending Evangelical churches between 1 a 10 years and 76,7% more than 11 years 95,5% are married or they have had a partner at some point of their lives 76,8% say they are part of a ministry in a church Regarding the financial contribution to home, 48,6% are supported by men and 46,1% by women Finally 97% of the married/ cohabiting participants say their partner confessed to be an Evangelical Christian 7 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS PRESENT INSIDE EVANGELICALHOMES 1 out of 5 people acknowledges the existence of financial violence 2 out of 10 Evangelical adults deny the possibility of domestic violence in homes HOWEVER 3 out of 10 Evangelical adults say they have suffered domestic violence and/or abuse in the 2013 2012 2011 last three years When they were children... 4 out of 10 participants were victims of violence 5 out of 10 Evangelicals witnessed violence situations 8 3 out of 10 Evangelical women and 2 out of 10 men were sexual abuse victims WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR EVANGELICALS? 8 out of 10 think domestic violence is a reflection of abusive experiences during childhood 7 out of 10 blame the use of drugs and alcohol 6 out of 10 blame the devil and his influence 4 out of 10 think people are violent by nature 4 out of 10 lattribute domestic violence to mental problems 4 out of 10 think violent acts result from a momentary loss of control 4 out of 10 think the spouse is violent because he/she is involved in an affair 3 out of 10 think a wife is battered because she doesn’t submit to her husband 3 out of 10 think there is domestic violence because of lack of financial resources 9 VIOLENCE AMONG EVANGELICAL COUPLES 1 out of 10 Evangelicals thinks that reporting cases of domestic violence to the authorities affects the testimony of the Church 7 out of 10 men and 7 out of 10 women think women’s submission to men is not God’s will in cases of domestic violence 2 out of 10 men and 1 out of 10 women think women’s submission to their husbands in cases of domestic violence is God’s will 2 out of 10 women and 1 out of 10 men identified their spouse as responsible for any kind of violence 2 out of 10 Evangélicals say their spouses ignore them and refuse affection to them and their children 2 out of 10 Evangélicals experience some kind of violence when his/her spouse is under stress 1 out of 10 Evangélicals experiences some kind of violence when they argue with his/her spouse because of money 10 WHAT DO EVANGELICALS DO WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? 7 out of 10 women and men have looked for help at least once 4 out of 10 women and 2 out of 10 men looked for help from the pastor 4 out of women and 1 out of 10 men looked for help from friends and relatives WHERE DID YOU LOOK FOR HELP? 4 out of 10 women and 2 out of 10 men looked for help from church members 4 out of 10 women looked for help from police or other institutions WHY DID YOU NOT LOOK FOR HELP? 45.5% of women: “I was embarrassed or humiliated” 60% of men and 36.4% of women: “I was not injured” 40% of men and 27.3% of women: “It’s part of everyday life/it’s normal” 18.2% of women: “My children need to grow with their father”, “I did not have money”, “To keep up appearances”, “I don’t trust the justice system” 9.1% of women: “It won’t happen again”, “I was afraid of losing him”, “I don’t want to hurt him”, “It was my fault”, “I don’t know where to go”, “My pastor advised me not to go to court”. 11 COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE POPULATION, EVANGELICAL COUPLES SHOW SIMILAR DATA COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE, IN THE OVERALL SOCIETY 25% of Argentinian women are victims of domestic violence. It is estimated that 50% of them will experience an abusive situation at some point of their lives.1 10% of Evangelical women experienced abusive situations from their partners in the last three years Every 30 hours, a woman was murdered because of gender violence in Argentina in 2013 Of the 3,451,910 inhabitants in the Province of Cordoba, 1 out of 101 people reports a case of domestic violence In the Province of Cordoba, 90% of the cases report verbal, psychological or emotional violence, while 43% of the cases report physical violence. There are reports of financial (6%) and sexual violence reports (5%) as well 1 12 Fundación AVON Argentina. Observatorio de Feminicidios. Casa del Encuentro. CHURCH COMMITMENT TO PROMOTE VIOLENCE-FREE AND PEACEBUILDERS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 1 2 3 4 5 6 UNDERSTAND AND PUT INTO PRACTICE the real Biblical meaning of human dignity, mutual submission, equality and the differences between men and women. Nourish a healthy and respectful relationship between partners emphasizing the gifts and talents given by God to each one of the. Review our problem-solving strategies.s. DON’T COVER UP THE ABUSE. We won’t hide the violence that may occur in the homes. If we experience mistreatment or abuse, we will raise the alarm with our families, our trusted spiritual leaders and if necessary, to the official authorities. We will look for professional, legal and pastoral help. BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE CARING ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES IN THE CHURCHES. We believe “Christian testimony” is strengthened when abuse and mistreatment cases against women and children are exposed. We will ensure perpetrators are held accountable. If I am a pastor, I will generate spaces where children, women and men who experience domestic violence. I will support them as they deal with the situation they are going through. TEACH GOOD TREATMENT WITHIN THE FAMILY. We will teach about good treatment through words and good examples in our families; through Sunday school, youth and women groups, family gatherings; from the pulpit and in theological seminaries; and lastly, with Mass Media. We will solve problems without violence by using dialogue and respecting each other. REVISE the way discipline and punishment are applied to boys and girls through constructive, loving and respectful ways, abolishing the physical punishment and humiliating treatment. Learn to set limits in a non-violent way. COOPERATE WITH SOCIETY eby eliminating all kinds of violence between men and women; investing time and resources from churches in endeavors that may affirm good treatment among all —especially with children— as well as affirming the role of protector that authorities must fulfill. 13 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Throughout the country: yy Free National Helpline 144 to prevent gender violence. yy National Council for Women http://www.cnm.gov.ar/GNR/GuiaNacionalDeRecursosArgentina.html Province of Cordoba yy http://www.cnm.gov.ar/GNR/GuiaNacionalDeRecursosCordoba.html yy Department of Domestic Violence under the Ministry of Social Development of the Province of Cordoba (0351) 4372188/89 --- 0800-888-9898 (24 hours) Av. Olmos 175, Cordoba. FOR MORE INFORMATION yy Comunidad y Cambio, It’s a non-profit civil association that aims to promote comprehensive development of people and their communities through equal opportunity, justice, solidarity and cooperation. It also offers workshops to prevent domestic violence, sexual abuse and violence against children and teenagers; and build protective churches for child development. www.comunidadycambio.org Organizaciones evangélicas Internacionales: yy Restored (United Kingdom). An International Christian Partnership that work to transform relationships to end violence against women. According to their vision, they expect Latin American society may reject gender violence against women and promote a positive and inclusive manhood. This vision is based on God intends to create man and woman to His image and likeness, with the same dignity and rights. www.restoredrelationships.org yy Paz y Esperanza. A Christian organization focused on human rights that work in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Visit: www.pazyesperanza.org You can find bibliographic resoruces at: www.institutopaz.net yy Claves. Since 1995, the Program Claves de Juventud para Cristo Uruguay has been developing methodologies to promote strengthening elements for children and teenagers. Also, they intend to join forces to prevent abuse and violence in Latin America. www.claves.org.uy 14 PRAYER Lord yy Forgive my lack of sensibility and love for those You love. yy Fill our heart with love for the widows, the orphans and the foreigners just as your Word commands. yy Forgive me for the times my attitudes and words have hurt those whom I love. Forgive me for the times I haven’t asked forgiveness, denying the consequences of my actions. yy Forgive us because we have taught our children to fear, to feel less worthy and take revenge. Forgive us because we have showed them an indifferent god, not the loving and respectful God who has revealed Himself to us. yy We pray for every Argentinian family who experiences domestic violence. Let us bring your peace, guidance and love. yy Let me treat my family well. Let me be patient with my partner and children. Don’t let me put them down nor batter them with my lips or hands. yy We want to seek God’s Kingdom and His justice every day of our lives on behalf of our families, churches and community. yy I pray that I will never be indifferent again to the pain of women, men and children. Let your arm be my arm; and your passion, my passion. Make your hands ours Lord! But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mathew 6:33 New International Version (NIV) 15 The purpose of this study is to eliminate domestic violence within Argentinian homes. Evangelical churches are very important spaces to promote well treatment among family members. A significant step to eliminate the scourge of violence and abuse among people is to recognize and raise awareness of the problem in our own homes. Therefore, we have asked ourselves the following questions:: yy How is domestic violence evidenced? yy What are churches members’ beliefs about? Are these beliefs and practices healthy? Do they support violence? Do they perpetuate violence? Comunidad y Cambio aims to: yy Promote an academic discussion about the impact of Christian faith and practice on family health and relationships within theological training spaces, including the ecclesiastical leadership. yy Write a paper to be discussed with pastors, churches and theological seminaries in order to elaborate a renewed pastoral care of family that may respond to contemporary issues and demands. yy Formulate guidelines for public policies based on objective information about the evangelical population. yy Spread messages that can contribute to build a more just society with greater hope for people of all ages.