Domestic Violence in Uncertain Times

As the grim news about the massacre in Nova Scotia unfolded two Sundays ago Ruth and I discussed our suspicion that domestic violence was the trigger for what had unfolded. Ruth worked as a counsellor for a women's shelter for a decade and was well aware of the danger her clients experienced in relationships and how those women often feared for not only their own safety but for others in the circle of family and friends. 

Sadly, It turned out that we were correct, It is extraordinary that his partner survived the night, although she experienced physical harm and psychological trauma which will last a lifetime. 

We've since heard that despite seeming like a pleasant guy to most who encountered him, a few witnessed his temper. No one could have predicted the ruthlessness of the killer as his rampage spread out across the province. An FBI profiler speculated that he may have been a "grievance collector" someone who harbours slights and grudges over time.Ruth saw how women and children suffered when the partner and parent took out their anger about life on them and would return to what might be considered minor grievances to punish them. 

We can pray that there will never be another mass killing of this magnitude in Canada, or anywhere for that matter. The reality is that shelters and help lines are noting a sharp uptick in the number of women seeking support during the COVID-19 crisis. When people are sequestered together in the midst of uncertainty and perhaps unemployment the possibility of violence increases. To make matters worse, the moments when the abused can reach out for help shrink dramatically. 

I'm not sure what we who are Christians can go in the midst of this increased threat to the safety of women in abusive relationships. When Ruth was involved in this work she had clients who were part of communities of faith, including a number through the years from our own congregation. They often found refuge and strength in attending worship, something which can't happen now. Perhaps we remember that this is real and we can ask God to maintain the hope of those who are desperate and frightened. We can also pray for those who are doing their best to provide support to those in distress in the midst of the pandemic which affects their safety as well. 

Since I wrote this blog entry this morning I've heard that the United Nations is drawing attention to another pandemic of domestic violence. Chilling. 

Some Groundling thoughts about corvids -- crows and ravens -- in a time of COVID.
https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2020/04/corvids-in-time-of-covid.html