Supporting Victims of Violence
Volume 19, Number 4 Fall 2002

Article Summaries

Editorial- How Long, O Lord! by Judith Allen Shelly
This editorial addresses concerns related to domestic abuse. It is important to be aware of abuse and to admit the problem. To deny the existence of violence and abuse is to compound the pain of the victim. We must face violence head on by listening to victims, asking the right questions, responding with compassion and being aware of resources where healing can begin. This requires a long-term commitment.

Cry of My Heart: Bringing Hope and Grace to Abused Children by Debbie Oberg
Oberg tells of her experience caring for two horrifically, abused young children. The experience opens wounds left by her own experience with abuse. By providing compassion and tender care the author, a nurse, provides the only love these children may have experienced in their short lives.

Clinical Crisis: A Student's Healing Journey by Susie Oliver
Oliver recounts her interactions with a nursing student. Oliver establishes a close teacher/student relationship with Cindy. Throughout the year, Cindy confides in Oliver, telling her of previous experiences with incest, drugs, alcohol and giving a child up for adoption. Cindy experiences a great deal of healing and eventually has a long-awaited reunion with her daughter.

Domestic Violence: Find the Courage to Break Free by Muriel Larson
Larson tells of the story of a woman who eventually breaks free from the grip of domestic violence. Larson, a counselor, provides practical insight in getting the necessary help needed to leave a violent situation.

Religion: An Excuse for Abuse? by Carolyn Holderread Heggen
Heggen outlines four common beliefs that make women vulnerable to abuse. 1) God intends that men dominate and women submit; 2) a woman is morally inferior to man and cannot trust her own judgment; 3) suffering is a Christian virtue and women in particular have been designated to be suffering servants; 4) Christians must quickly forgive and be reconciled with those who sin against them. In each of these areas, Heggen challenges readers to consider scriptural texts that are often distorted regarding femininity and submission. She states, "Teachings that cause both women and men to mistrust and despise femininity damage and diminish all of us."

Seeing God's Fingerprints in Your Past by Beck Brodin
Brodin encourages readers to see God's fingerprints throughout our lives. By looking for God in our past, we can remember lessons he has taught us and recall times when he did something significant in our lives. Brodin suggests creating a lifeline to trace the major events and people who have influenced you. By using the natural seasons of life, critical events and key people you can gain insight into God's unfailing faithfulness in your life.

Charting Your Personal Boundaries by Ruth Snapp
Visiting issues of contentment and boundaries, Snapp reviews various boundaries and the values they contain. Moral, circumstantial, professional, family, social, ethical and spiritual boundaries all serve to define, protect and preserve. Snapp encourages readers to think about personal boundaries and where they came from.

Genograms: Charting Your Connections by Ruth Snapp
This companion to Charting Your Personal Boundaries can be used as an assessment tool for individuals or families to better understand themselves and their family backgrounds. Nurses can use the tool to help patients understand themselves and solve problems. *Corrected chart

Defusing Workplace Violence by Karen O'Leary
O'Leary provides statistics about workplace violence stating that health care and social service industries face the highest rate of assault injuries according to a 1993 study. She offers practical suggestions for reducing workplace violence. Her strategies include: praying, staying calm, establishing an escape route, avoiding verbal sparring, watching body language, use of time-outs, use of and removal of restraints, avoiding isolated areas, limiting jewelry and following the safety and security policies of your workplace.

Safe Churches: Prepared to Manage Crisis by Sandra G. Peterson
Peterson offers tips for developing safety plans for churches. She provides a sample flow chart and safety plans which can be adapted for specific situations or congregations. Each room in the building should have a flip chart outlining emergency and contact information. Background checks of those working with children and youth, safety drills and lockdown procedures are a few steps to take in preparing to manage or avoid a crisis. Helpful resources for developing a crisis intervention plan are included in the article.

From Misery to Ministry: A Nurse's Despair Leads to Serving the Homeless by Sandy Sayre
A nurse experiencing the pain of divorce examines her life and rediscovers her faith in God. Her love of nursing is affirmed and she begins looking to God for direction. Sayre begins graduate school with the objective of becoming a family nurse practitioner, a goal she accomplishes. While in school she is drawn to the homeless population of her area and soon begins volunteering at a local shelter. Joining the Roanoke Valley Task Force on Homelessness leads her to pursue opening a health care center for the homeless. After overcoming several obstacles, like the purchase of an abandoned house and associated legal proceedings, Sayre eventually becomes manager of the Mission Health Care Center in Virginia.

Mentoring Moments: Overcoming Self-sufficiency by Jan Wilson
The author recounts her medical mission experience in remote Dominican villages where she learned to overcome self-sufficiency and began to trust God to work in the lives of those she served. Wilson realizes that she cannot bring others to God and begs God to use her in the process.

In Silence, New Life Begins by Mary Pearson
Listening to the news, an Oklahoma nurse senses she will be involved in the care of a shooting victim. After being transferred from another hospital, the victim, a young woman named Kim is cared for by Pearson. During that time, Pearson feels compelled to share Christ with Kim. Unable to speak, Kim responds by shaking her head and praying silently to receive new life in Christ.

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