Advocacy for Victims of Abuse

Advocacy for Victims of Abuse (AVA) is a ministry of Crossview Covenant Church. AVA is focused on shining Christ’s light on the sin of domestic violence. AVA provides resources for victims of abuse and education on the issue of domestic violence. 

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threat of actions that influence another person. This includes behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Spiritual abuse is what often prevents women in the church from coming forward.

Click on the below links to learn more about domestic violence and to learn if you are in a healthy or abuse relationship:

Need Help?
Crossview AVA volunteers are available to answer questions or to offer confidential listening and prayer. Connect with a Crossview AVA volunteer by calling the church office 507-387-5606.

Professional support, education, advocacy, emergency shelter and other assistance is available through Committee Against Domestic Abuse (CADA): www.cadamn.org or 507-625-8688.

Would you like to serve in this area? Contact Community Life Pastor Aaron Thompson or 507-387-5606 ext 120.

Resources for Victims of Abuse

Crisis Line: 1-800-477-0466
Dating/Teen helpline: 1-866-331-9474
Crisis Nursery: 507-995-9259

CADA – Support, education, advocacy and emergency shelter
www.inspire-hope.org
Victim Services - 507-625-8688
24 Hours (507) 625-3966
Shelter/TTY (507) 625-3966
Business (507) 625-8688

Resources for friends and family of victims of abuse.
The way you speak with a victim of abuse matters. See the below links for more information about your role as a friend to a victim of domestic violence.

Signs of abuse and abusive relationships and how to talk to someone about domestic violence.

Do's and Don'ts

Do:
- Ask if something is wrong.
- Express concern.
- Listen and validate.
- Offer help.
- Support his or her decisions.

Don’t:
- Wait for him or her to come to you.
- Judge or blame.
- Pressure him or her.
- Give advice.
- Place conditions on your support.

Adapted from: NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

Men's Services
- Men Preventing Violence: www.covchurch.org/abuse/men-preventing-violence/
- Men’s Help Line: 612-379-6367
- Domestic Abuse Project (Twin Cities)
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (Duluth Area)

Other Resources
- National Domestic Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Dating and Teen Violence: www.loveisnotabuse.com
- Immigrants: Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection
- Christian/Faith Based: Focus Ministries / Faith Trust Institute
- Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (see Domestic Violence, then religion to Creating a Safe Place)
- www.northmemorial.com/safeJourney
- www.mvwcs.com (how to talk to children who are witnessing family violence)
- Support Groups: www.hidinghurtinghealing.com

Books
Violence Among Us by Brenda Branson and Paula J. Silva
Boundaries by Townsend and Cloud
Courage to Heal by Ellen Base and Laura Davis
Domestic Violence: What Every Pastor Needs to Know by Rev. Al Miles
Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches by Carolyn Holderread Heggen
God’s Reconciling Love: A Pastors Handbook on Domestic Violence by Nancy Murphy
Mending the Soul by Stephen Tracy
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner