August 2009 Training Event: Working with Christian Batterers and Victims
What we thought would be a small local training event simply overflowed! Participants came from the United Kingdom, Idaho, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. One participant was from Macedonia, and various parts of New England were represented. On August 7 we met at Eastern Nazarene College to consider how to work with Christian batterers and victims. Both secular care providers and persons in active ministry were invited, and a wide range of persons were present.
Board member Julie Owens led off with a presentation on the psychological and spiritual mind-set of an abused Christian woman. Julie detailed her confusion, disillusionment and dislocation from much of what she had previously held dear. At her second session, she further explained the changes that will be experienced by the victim and her community, as well as steps that can be taken toward healing.
Tyrone and Barbara Schroyer told of their adaptation of the Duluth model of intervention for Christian offenders. Ty told of his own abuse of a former girl friend, and his determination to behave differently. In time he became a staff member of the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and started teaching others the insights that he himself has gained. His teaching style is clear, direct and forthright while his wife’s is more gentle, philosophic and relational. Their interchange with the audience was lively and highly informative.
A panel including the Schroyers, theologian William Spencer, classicist Catherine Kroeger (explaining how the Greeks viewed the metaphor of “head”) and moderator Lurena Lee (director of DPH outreach to communities of faith program) discussed aspects of male dominance and propensity to abuse. The audience responded with excellent questions, observations and insights.
Notes on some of the presentations are available here:
These are also available by writing to: Peace and Safety in the Christian Home, 1095 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, MA 02631.
Our schedule for the day looked like this...
Working With Christian Batterers and Victims
Eastern Nazarene College, August 7, 2009
- 8:30 sign in and registration (register in advance, online)
- 9:00 The Duluth Model adapted for abusers who profess a Christian faith – Tyran and Barbara Schroyer
- 10:00 break
- 10:15: Understanding the Christian victim and her world view: why she will never be the same again - Julie Owens
- 11:15 Break
- 11:30 Strategic use of scripture as support rather than roadblock – Catherine Kroeger
- 12:00 Lunch
- 1:00 Panel discussion: Addressing issues of hierarchy, male dominance and scripturally based equality – Tyran and Barbara Schroyer, William Spencer Catherine Kroeger. Moderator: Lurena Lee
- 2:15 break
- 2:30 Paths toward healing for the victim and her faith community – Julie Owens
- 3:15 wrap-up
- 3:30 dismissal
Cost for the event is forty-five dollars. The student rate is thirty dollars, and a limited number of scholarships are available. The cost includes a light breakfast and lunch.
On the following day, August 8, there will be an opportunity for interaction and discussion of the issues that have been raised. It will be held at the PASCH home site in Brewster on Cape Cod. There is no charge to attend this event.
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