Why Are Men Scorned When They Are The Victims of Domestic Abuse?
Back in June of 2015, a powerful play hit the stage based on the novel, "Battered Clergy-From Victim to Victor"- written by Dr. Joseph B. Howard Sr., directed by Alvin Malcolm Daniels and adapted by, yours truly.
The production was a rousing wake-up call to church leadership and it's body as a whole, revealing the untold, un-talked about issues of domestic violence and the brutal manifestations thereof.
Yes, beneath the hot lights and scrutiny of a packed house the underbelly of what goes on behind the closed doors of some Christian marriages is candidly and skillfully revealed to what a growing number of church-folk can secretly relate to.
But my questions are, and will remain, "In the house of healing, why is pain such a secret? Why doesn't the church embrace it's wounded with more than a promise to pray and a few scriptures (like so much aspirin) in lieu of working solutions? Why do such issues pain us to the point of turning away with mere hopes of God, working it out?
Why are we afraid to say, "Remove yourself from danger, and even more reluctant to advise the man, when he is the victim?
That's right, I said it... "When the "man" is the victim?
Men are a growing statistic in the reported cases of domestic violence, who are laughed out of the police station, scorned in the circle of their peers, or worse, ignored all together.
Admittedly, it is a hard and uncomfortable issue to acknowledge, but much like a doctor needing to look, poke, prod and investigate the source of our pain, ergo the necessity of our scrutiny.
"You Reap What You Sow (Battered Clergy-From Victim to Victor)" garnered the attention of Moopy Vision Films-from books to films competition in 2010 and was made into a short film which showcased the intentions of Dr. Howard's intentions but never quite delivered it into the awareness of a mainstream audience.
It is with a sound heart and mind that we endeavor to go forward with our project, reaching out to victims and bringing awareness to this issue through the dramatic arts in a way that that heals and strengthens us as a church, a people and a nation.
God Bless
