Local pastors consider role in addressing domestic violence

FLORENCE — Local pastors considered their role in preventing and treating domestic violence in their communities during an engaging and, at times, spirited roundtable discussion on Wednesday in Florence.

The faith leaders roundtable was held by the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual and was one of many events being held in conjunction with October being recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Rev. Carl Smith, president of Redeeming the Time, which specializes in biblical treatment of domestic violence batterers, moderated the event.

South Carolina consistently ranks as one of the top 10 states in domestic violence, Smith said.

That is why it’s more pertinent than ever for religious leaders to be agents of safety, he said.

Roundtable participants agreed pastors must be willing to get in the pulpit and speak to their congregations about domestic violence.

“We have a mandate to meet the needs of the people through the gospel of Jesus Christ,” minster Elaine Baldwin, who participated in the discussion, said. “Domestic violence is an issue in this community, and just because people refuse to talk about it doesn’t mean it isn’t real. It is real.”

Some pastors are aware their parishioners are abusive to their spouses or partners but choose to skirt the issue, Smith said. Some pastors even blame the victim and tell them to go back to an abusive spouse, he said.

“Don’t be telling her to go back, pray harder and make a better supper. Don’t you dare do that!” Smith said.

Pastors should be willing to say the word “divorce” from the pulpits, although a well-planned separation might be a better option, Davis said.

Whether it be during a divorce or a separation, this is a critical time for the victim, he said.

“This is the most dangerous point in her life, when she’s trying to leave,” Smith said. “He’ll do any- and everything to track her down.”

Abusive mates often become enraged and determined to do serious harm to their fleeing partners, he said. One of the best ways to stop domestic violence is to change the attitude and behavior of the batterer, Smith said.

“Until somebody he respects faces him and says he shouldn’t be doing that, he won’t stop,” Davis said. “We pastors have to be willing to have the guts to say it.”

Roundtable participants agreed that churches should support local domestic violence awareness groups that help domestic violence victims and treat their abusive partners.

The Pee Dee Coalition is working to form a regional faith-based advisory council that would help pastors aid in the fight against domestic violence.

Anyone with information about possible cases of domestic violence is encouraged to contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

In addition, the Pee Dee Coalition provides assistance and resources designed to help victims of this crimes and can be reached at any time at (843) 669-4600 or (800) 273-1820.