Faith Time: Ending domestic violence and abuse

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Joining us this morning is Erica Smith, assistant director for North American Division of Seventh Day Adventists. We wanted to talk about the fact that you are the national director for the church's "End It Now" campaign focuses on ending domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Let's talk a little bit about background. Why did Seventh Day Adventists focus on this issue?

Guest: The simple answer is because it's what we believe Jesus has called us to extend hope and healing to the sick, the hurting, the weak. And that includes this group of people outside the church and inside the church. We wanted to bring awareness that Christians, people of faith, are not immune to abuse and violence.

Anchor: We had the "End it Now" March recently in Mobile. How do these community events really help combat the problem?

Guest: Couple of things. Brings awareness that it is a problem. A lot of people that I talked to say that can't be happening here and certainly not in a faith community. And yes, it can. And we have the statistics to prove it.

So bringing awareness, bringing hope. I mean, the other day at the rally, a lady came up to me and she said, I am a survivor. It gives a safe space to survivors to be able to say, yeah, I've lived. I've lived through that. Thank you for being here and recognizing my story.

Anchor: What do you think people need to know about this issue that doesn't often get talked about that?

Guest: It often happens behind closed doors and it happens a lot of times. It's perpetrated by people who we tend to look up to, who are very charismatic, very engaged with the community. And so, when an allegation comes up against somebody in a church, in a school, the initial reaction is that couldn't be happening here, and it couldn't be that person.