From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org


Can Taiwan's Christians Do Anything About Domestic


From Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>
Date Thu, 16 Jan 2003 13:52:45 +0800

Violence?
Taiwan Church News 2655, January 19, 2003
Reported by Ku Hao-jan. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   Since Taiwan's Domestic Violence Protection Act Law was passed
a few years back, reported incidents have increased from 18,000
in 1999 to nearly 30,000 in 2001.  The number of emergency
interventions has increased from double to quadruple digits.  In
the face of this tragedy Christian scholars have cried out for
the church to take a positive position and help Taiwan'ss women
find a way out of the fog of violence.
   The Women's Ministries Committee of the Lutheran Church in
Taiwan convened a teach-in at Chin Li Hall in Taipei on January
8th.  They invited professor Chen Ruo-jang from National
Tsing-hwa University and several social service workers to make
presentations.	About fifty women attended.  Professor Chen
shared past case histories and looked at them from several
different levels.  She divided abusers and the abused into
several categories.
   She pointed out that many women in Taiwan, after having been
victims of domestic violence from their spouse, adopt negative
and passive attitudes about what can be done.  She says that
there are many social welfare agencies that could be helping to
deal with domestic violence.  If a wife encounters even a
"halfway violent situation" these agencies are ready to help.
She asserts "To strike a person is criminal behavior," and calls
on women to stop shielding their abusive husbands.
   Can the church take a positive stance towards abused wives?
Professor Chen suggests many models.  Churches could establish
halfway houses, emergency shelters, and temporary child care
centers.  At the same time, the church cannot ignore conducting
training and long-term help of abuse victims, giving them a
chance for a reborn future.

For more information: Taiwan Lutheran Church
tlchurch@ms11.hinet.net

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local
languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.org.tw


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