| abstract |
This investigation of the African American Church's silent response to domestic violence has to be uprooted and overturned. Within the African American's predominantly male churches, the pastors and leadership, continue to perpetuate a patriarchal hierarchy that devalues, demoralizes, oppress, control, and wields power over women who are victims of domestic violence. These women are made to be presently invisible within the congregations due to the pastor and leadership's refusal to take a stand to break the silence that would provide help and healing to these victims of domestic violence.
The Violence Against Women Act was implemented in 1994 to criminalize abusers of domestic violence. "Before the inception of the Act, many victims experienced devastating consequences in silence." The rate of violence against women became concerning to family violence activists and this is why the Act is so important. Currently, the Act is being questioned on whether the data and information retrieved are accurate and whether the Act is successful. As a result of this information that hasn't been confirmed, it wants to offer a choice to keep the Act as it is or help victims. Sadly, victims weren't provided the help needed when the Act was implemented. A choice should not be offered but an inclusion to help victims is a necessity.
Grover and Moore ask the question, Is the information from the "Office of Violence Against Women, Department of Justice, Congressional Research Service, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, and the various sister agencies within the Office of Department of Justice Programs correct" fulfilling the Act's initial intent, and if not, why not?
Through this project, I hope to shed light and comprehension on the seriousness of Domestic Violence. My project also aims to subvert the patriarchal system by re-evaluating and re-introducing the Feminine Divine into the African American church setting depicting God's fullness, through equity and Her love.
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