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Table of Contents
Focus Text: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
Seek the LORD and live, or [the LORD] will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!
They hate the one who reproves at the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins – you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice at the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
Overview
Focus Text: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
“They hate the one who reproves at the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.”
Scripture Commentary by Rev. Shadra Suzanne Shoffner
“One who reproves at the gate” refers to an honest judge. In the time of Amos, the city gate was a place where justice was meted out by judges who dealt fairly and equitably with all who cried out for help. Amos tells the people that God is not pleased by their abandonment of this practice. No longer do they allow judges at the gate who discern truth and administer justice fairly to all concerned. Now, the people of Israel pretend to be holy while trampling on the poor, taking bribes and pushing aside the needy.
Pastoral Reflection by Rev. Shadra Suzanne Shoffner
Domestic violence is ever with us and the statistics sadly bear this out. Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey. When the person you once trusted and chose to be with you as lover, friend or spouse becomes a monster who will physically and/or emotionally harm you, you feel betrayed and oppressed. You may also feel like a victim who participates in, and even is partially responsible for, the pain and the hurt.
Personal Vignette from Personal Stories of Victims of Domestic Violence
“My husband and I were high school sweethearts. He had a love for politics, sports, life, and he knew exactly where he was going. We had a perfect marriage—until that first hit. At first, I took his behavior as total love and protection for me. He controlled my every action, my every move—even going to the bathroom. He was an awesome father to my children, but he was unbelievably mean to me…”
Key Fact
Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning.
Related Texts
Give ear to my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and answer me; I am troubled in my complaint. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; truly, I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest.” Confuse, O Lord, confound their speech; for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. It is not enemies who taunt me – I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me – I could hide from them. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng. But I call upon God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and [God] will hear my voice. [God] will redeem me unharmed from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God, who is enthroned from of old, will hear, and will humble them –because they do not change, and do not fear God. My companion laid hands on a friend and violated a covenant with me with speech smoother than butter, but with a heart set on war; with words that were softer than oil, but in fact were drawn swords. Cast your burden on the LORD, and [the LORD] will sustain you; [the LORD] will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:1-2, 5-14, 16-22
[Jesus] said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”
Mark 4:21-25
Other Lectionary Texts
- Job 23:1-9, 16-17
- Psalm 22:1-15
- Psalm 90:12-17
- Mark 10:17-31
- Hebrews 4:12-16
Scriptural Commentary on Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
Amos was a humble herdsman whose life was devoted to serving the Lord, and his life-style reflected this devotion. He was not the son of a prophet or the son of a priest, just an ordinary person who loved God. His name means burden or burden-bearer. Amos’ life would have easier if he had just stayed in Tekoa, providing for his family by tending sheep and also caring for fig trees in the Judean countryside. But God gave Amos a vision of the future and told him to take his message to Israel, the northern kingdom. So Amos obeyed, and thus his name became his life.
The prophet carried a very serious message to Israel. Amos spoke God’s judgment on nation after nation around Israel’s borders and moved on to speak against Israel and even Judah. The first chapter of Amos contains a grisly account of the Ammonites ripping open pregnant women in order to expand their own territory. God is not pleased and promises vengeance. The second chapter describes God’s anger with both Israel and Judah for a host of transgressions: selling the poor as slaves, exploiting the poor, engaging in sexual sins, taking illegal collateral for loans, and worshiping false gods. The third chapter describes violence and oppression in Israel and Judah because they no longer know how to do what is right. God warns the people through Amos the burden-bearer, but they do not listen. Chapter four compares Israel’s wealthy women to the “cows” of Bashan – pampered, sleek and well-fed (Psalm 22:12). These women are blamed for causing their wealthy husbands to oppress the poor in order to support their rich lifestyles. Chapter five is almost shocking because Amos sings a song of lament which sounds as though Israel has already been destroyed. The Israelites believe their wealth and rituals make them secure, but Amos sadly tells them that their laws and courts have become places of greed and injustice. “Seek the Lord and live, or God will break out against the house of Joseph like fire.” (Amos 5: 6) “They hate the one who reproves at the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth (Amos 5:10.
“One who reproves at the gate” refers to an honest judge. In the time of Amos, the city gate was a place where justice was meted out by judges who dealt fairly and equitably with all who cried out for help. Amos tells the people that God is not pleased by their abandonment of this practice. No longer do they allow judges at the gate who discern truth and administer justice fairly to all concerned. Now, the people of Israel pretend to be holy while trampling on the poor, taking bribes and pushing aside the needy.
This timely lesson is a cry for justice for our day and time. The poor and abused are often defenseless victims of domestic violence without advocates or money enough to be heard or protected by our court systems. As people of faith we are called to ensure that these victims of violence receive justice at the gates of our courts. The burden-bearer Amos is still speaking to us today!
By Rev. Shadra Suzanne Shoffner, former pastor, Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Burlington
Pastoral Reflection on Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
When I’m wearing a certain favorite T-shirt which says, “You can’t beat a woman,” I get mixed reactions. Lots of people smile and say, “You got that right! Women do everything to hold this world together. You sure can’t beat a woman.” Then there are those who read the message on the shirt and almost look sad. I’ve noticed one or two women whose eyes became teary when reading the shirt. Others have said “No, but some people DO (beat a woman).” So my provocative shirt from Family Abuse Services of Alamance County, Inc. is certainly a conversation starter.
Domestic violence is ever with us and the statistics sadly bear this out. Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey. When the person you once trusted and chose to be with you as lover, friend or spouse becomes a monster who will physically and/or emotionally harm you, you feel betrayed and oppressed. You may also feel like a victim who participates in, and even is partially responsible for, the pain and the hurt.
I spent four weekends at the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women in a Christian outreach program called “Kairos.” Three of us from the “outside” would be placed at a round table with three from the “inside.” We shared meals and talks and music throughout three days and lifted up the possibilities God offers for healing and renewal. The insiders were incarcerated for one reason or another. We never asked why they were imprisoned. But we listened to each other’s stories.
As I listened, it struck me that nearly every woman there had a story which included domestic abuse. Some of these women had been sexually abused by their own fathers. Some were in tragic relationships with boyfriends or husbands who abused them physically and emotionally. Often, a woman would blame herself for the abuse. “I guess I should never have told him off that way,” she might say, as though there is any excuse for violence.
As each weekend unfolded, I usually became attached and connected emotionally to one of the women at my table. A woman I’ll call Beverly was able to describe the shame of incest and rape and talked about how she continued to be tortured by guilt and shame. We tried to point out that she was a survivor who could find courage in community, the type of Christian community being presented that weekend. Her own relatives had betrayed her, but in the midst of this, a seed of forgiveness was being planted. She would be leaving prison within the year, and we wanted her to find a church family she could trust. She knew her Bible, but she had also learned that patriarchy and other oppressive systems were also part of the historical context of scripture. She avoided churches because she saw them as communities which often continue to lift up these tired stereotypes and lies. We pointed out how Jesus had to confront patterns of hatred and prejudice and that he challenged systems of his day which were unjust. She loved the stories of the woman at the well and the woman who had been caught in adultery.
Beverly, although wounded emotionally and spiritually, was very intelligent and courageous. When she was released from prison, she chose not to return to the abusive situation from which she had come. She left a life of self-hatred, re-discovered her self-esteem, and became a teacher’s assistant in one of our local school systems. I was able to follow her life journey through the eyes of her kind and gentle female pastor, a minister who continues to mentor her now that she is “on the outside.” She has found a place with a church community that has become her loving and accepting family.
Not all stories of people who are abused end so positively. We in the church need to look around and realize that about one-third of all women in our lives—workplace, family, church and social and civic groups—one-third of them have a story to tell. Who is listening? Who will help them find justice at the gate? Who can proclaim to them that God longs to hold the broken and lonely survivors in the warmth of sheltering love and community….that God’s mercy is available for them? When you and I discover the truth of redemptive love flowing out to heal the deepest violations, we will become part of God’s healing in this world. Justice and healing are the message. Are we listening? Can we see the face of Christ in the faces and places of suffering? May we be lifted up on God’s shoulders so that we see the ones who need our loving care!
By Rev. Shadra Suzanne Shoffner, former pastor, Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Burlington
Theological Issues Relating to Domestic Violence
Religious institutions can be a powerful resource for the abused and the abuser when they are educated on domestic violence and address this problem openly with their congregations. Unfortunately, some churches have not effectively dealt with this issue. Below are some of the issues which may hinder congregations, pastors, and religious institutions from becoming fully involved.
Suffering – Some abused women believe they have a religious obligation to suffer and they misapply this concept to tolerating abuse in their intimate relationships. Religious leaders sometimes reinforce this notion. We must remember that God does not want anyone to suffer needlessly. Suffering happens because of evil in the world. God is present with her in her suffering, but in no way does this mean that God wants her to continue to suffer.
Forgiveness – Unfortunately, the idea of forgiveness is also often misapplied in abusive situations. Women are often encouraged to “forgive” in a way that translates into the batterer not being held accountable for his actions.
Permanency of Marriage – The religious idea that it is wrong to separate from one’s spouse has often led to women suffering more abuse and in some cases being killed by their partner. We must keep in mind that the physical separation – at least a temporary one – of the husband and wife is often necessary to stop the abuse and get help. Clergy are sometimes the first people a woman will tell about her abuse. This provides religious leaders with a unique opportunity to offer community support, crisis intervention, and referral for help. It is critical that clergy become educated about appropriate ways to provide support and information.
Headship and Submission – The headship of men over women is a concept that denies women’s equality with men, and distorts the image of God in which women were created in. Relationships are to be based on mutual love, respect, care, integrity, trust, and support. Domestic violence destroys relationships. It is an abuse of power to demand or encourage persons to submit to domestic violence.
Adapted from The Sabbath of Domestic Peace, citing the “Family Violence Packet: A Congregational Resource by the National Ministries ABC/USA,” www.sabbathofdomesticpeace.org/domviolence/theological.htm, with additional commentary by Angela Roberson.
Worship Aids about Domestic Violence
Responsive Reading
Reader One:
We gather together aware of the violence around us:
the physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of children,
including abuse by religious leaders;
the murder and beatings of women by their partners;
the forced prostitution of young women and men in the U.S. and Canada and other parts of the world;
Reader Two:
The sexual harassment of women in the workplace, including the church;
the exploitation of women and children for profit and pornography;
the rape of countless women within marriages and dating relationships;
Reader Three:
The further violence perpetrated against women in the court system;
ritual abuse and mutilation of women and children;
the atrocities suffered by the victims of war.
One: In naming these forms of evil, we feel grief and pain.
All: Loving God, you are the one who desires that all people be brought into right relationship with one another and with you. Show us the path to justice and fill us with your healing power. May we experience your presence among us as comforter, sustainer and healer.
(from The Sabbath of Domestic Peace, citing the “Family Violence Packet: A Congregational Resource by the National Ministries ABC/USA,” www.sabbathofdomesticpeace.org/resources/worship.htm)
Prayer of Confession
We grieve O God, when we see the violence in our community between the powerful and the defenseless, men and women, adults and children. As your Church, and as your people, we acknowledge our guilt. We confess that too often we have failed to be your Church. We have felt paralyzed in moments that call for acts of courage and kindness. Apathy and ignorance, prejudice and fear have kept us silent when we should have spoken with conviction and condemned domestic violence in our homes and in our worshipping community. We have ignored and abandoned women, men and children in their pain and suffering. By our silence, we have condoned domestic violence. We confess that too often we have interpreted your Word in ways that justified and even encouraged domestic violence. We confess that too often we have been the last hope for victims of domestic violence, and we have withheld hope. They have come to us for compassion and received, instead, rejection. We long to control our violence and to find new ways to love our neighbor as ourselves— to reach out in love and compassion to be your Church. Forgive us for what is past and show us a new way to be your Church and your people.
Amen.
(adapted from the Joint Churches’ Domestic Violence Prevention Project, www.users.bigpond.net.au/stpauls/dvweek.html)
Alternate Responsive Reading
Jesus, courageous and vulnerable, you broke the vicious circle.
May we break cycles of violence.
Jesus, bold and brave, you confronted the traditional customs.
May we confront patterns of hatred and prejudice.
Jesus, assertive and strong, you challenged the perpetrators.
May we challenge victimizers and abusers in our day.
Jesus, clear and direct, you drew a line in the sand.
May we refuse to accept injustice.
Jesus, amazing and powerful, you got them to drop their stones.
May we find ways to be in the world that increase safety, establish fairness and promote peace.
Amen.
(from Mennonite Central Committee, “Worship Materials – Domestic Violence,” by Elsie Wiebe Klingler, www.mcc.org/abuse/worship/2003/october.html )
Children's Sermon about Domestic Violence
God does not want us to be violent; God wants everyone to be safe
Theme: God loves good; hurting other people or allowing them to hurt you is not good. God wants you to be safe and not to be afraid. God wants us to seek good and not evil.
Object: None
Scripture: Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of heavenly forces, will be with you just as you have said. Hate evil, love good, and establish justice at the city gate. Amos 5:14-15a
Ask: Do you ever get really angry with someone? Did you ever get so mad that you felt like hitting the other person? Is that ever ok? No it isn’t. But sometimes people do hit and hurt other people.
They may be unable to handle their anger. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry.
Here are some very important rules for all kids to remember:
- You never put your hands in anger or violence on anyone under any circumstances.
- You never allow anyone to put their hands on you in anger or violence. If they do, look for help. If no help is around, then you leave the situation and get help.
- You are never allowed to use profanity or provoke anyone into a fight.
- If someone uses profanity or provokes you, seek help.
- People fight, curse and provoke because they typically feel as if there is no other alternative to deal with their anger. You always have more alternatives and choices than you may realize. You just have to think.
- It is okay for you to be upset or angry with someone and it is okay for someone to be upset or angry with you. It is what you do with your anger and how well you handle your feelings that demonstrates how strong or weak you are.
- Know that you cannot please everyone and remember the choices you have.
It is important that you know what to do when you see someone getting hurt or if you are being hurt. This includes any kind of bullying. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or frightened. Schools are safe places. Talk to a teacher, counselor, or other adult.
There is a difference between reporting and tattling or gossiping. Reporting may really help someone not to be hurt. (These suggestions are based on the “Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
Helping Children Who Witness Domestic Violence: A Guide for Parents” by Meg Crater and Lily Anderson.)
Challenge: Keep your eyes and ears open so that you can help yourself or others not to be hurt. Remember the rules and don’t ever use violence to solve a problem with someone.
Prayer: Help us to remember that no one should ever be hurt by another person. Keep our eyes open to ways that we can help someone who is being hurt. Thank you for the many people in our lives that keep us safe. Amen.
Suggested Hymns about Domestic Violence
When Love is Found
New Century Hymnal (United Church of Christ) 362
Chalice Hymnal (Disciples of Christ) 499
United Methodist Hymnal 643
Gather Hymnal (Catholic) 966
We Shall Overcome
United Methodist Hymnal 533
Christian Methodist Episcopal Hymnal 372
Gather Hymnal (Catholic) 817
Chalice Hymnal (Disciples of Christ) 630
From Every Stormy Wind that Blows
African Methodist Episcopal Hymnal 409
Quotes about Domestic Violence
We are effectively destroying ourselves by violence masquerading as love.
R.D. Laing
Violence in the voice is often only the death rattle of reason in the throat.
H.G. Bohn
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
Salvor Hardin
Vignette about Domestic Violence
Mae’s Story
This is a true story; however, the victim’s name has been changed.
My husband and I were high school sweethearts. He had a love for politics, sports, life, and he knew exactly where he was going. We had a perfect marriage—until that first hit. At first, I took his behavior as total love and protection for me. He controlled my every action, my every move—even going to the bathroom. He was an awesome father to my children, but he was unbelievably mean to me.
One night he took me behind an abandoned warehouse; there, he raped me and beat me. I thought I would die there. I finally convinced him that if he killed me, our three kids would be homeless, and he would be in prison. I wanted to do everything I possibly could to keep my family together. When I finally decided to leave, I wanted to say I had given my marriage my all. I did everything I could and realized that it was not enough…I knew I had to go when I realized the message I was sending to my children about abuse.
After a horrible beating one night, I went to a local hospital and a representative from Interact met me there. They were a total support for me. Their assistance got me to the point of belief that I could make it on my own. I could be a single mom with three kids knowing that it’s possible to go on with my life…”
From personal stories of victims of domestic violence collected by Laura Hilton, Director of Communications, Interact, Wake County
www.ncjournalforwomen.com/months/2005_months/may05/may05hilton.htm
Contacts & Resources for Domestic Violence
www.ncchurches.org/2005/03/policy-statement-on-domestic-violence
NC Council of Churches Domestic Violence page, which includes a link to its Policy Statement on Domestic Violence (March 1, 2005).
www.nccadv.org
The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a community of agencies and individuals who serve battered women and their children. NCCADV offers support to member programs and shelters, as well as education to churches and community groups, including technical assistance, training, information about public policy initiatives, and activities to increase public awareness activities.
www.faithtrustinstitute.org
Faith Trust Institute is an international, multi-faith organization founded and led by Rev. Marie Fortune working to end domestic and sexual violence by providing services, resources, training, consultation, and educational materials to assist individuals and communities in understanding and dismantling the cultural and religious ideologies that support violence within families and interpersonal relationships.
www.nccadv.org/service_providers.htm
This page offers a helpful listing of shelters and domestic violence programs by county with contact information.
www.nccasa.org
The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault provides information, referrals, and resources to individuals, rape crisis programs, and other organizations, as well as supporting rape crisis programs through training personnel, networking and advocating.
www.ncadv.org
The mission of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is to organize for collective power by advancing transformative work by strengthening the leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives.
www.ncdsv.org
The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence is an organization that helps a myriad of professionals who work with victims and perpetrators; law enforcement; criminal justice professionals such as prosecutors, judges and probation officers; health care professionals including emergency response teams, nurses and doctors; domestic violence and sexual assault advocates and service providers; and counselors and social workers. In addition to these professionals, NCDSV also works with: local, state and federal agencies; state and national organizations; educators; researchers; faith community leaders; media; community leaders; elected officials; policymakers; and all branches of the military.
http://www.nnedv.org
The Family Violence Prevention Fund is an organization that works to prevent violence within the home, and in the community, to help those whose lives are devastated by violence because everyone has the right to live free of violence.
www.thehotline.org
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is the only center in the nation that provides information regarding 5000 local and nationwide shelters and service providers available for victims, friends and family who often call for life-saving help. The Hotline operates 24 hours a day in over 150 languages with a TTY line available for the deaf: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
www.bjs.gov/
The Bureau of Justice Statistics collects, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates criminal justice statistics.
www.justice.gov/ovw
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is part of the United States Department of Justice. The OVW provides funding and technical assistance to state, local, and non-profit organizations to reduce violence against women.
www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers domestic violence a public health problem. Thus, their primary focus is on prevention. Through federal money from the Family Violence Prevention Services Act the CDC helps to fund State Domestic Violence Coalitions and the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA). The CDC conducts research, devises strategies for best practices, and maintains statistics. Their work targets intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and youth violence. See also www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/ and www.cdc.gov/violencepresenton/sexualviolence for more information about intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
www.dvalianza.org
The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence or Alianza works specifically in Latino/Latina communities to provide practical and culturally proficient tools to eliminate domestic violence. Alianza has five components: training forums and conferences, work with boys and men, community advocacy, community education and development, technical assistance, and a resource center.
www.immigrantwomennetwork.org
The National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women works with diverse immigrant communities to end violence against immigrant women. Among its many activities it provides multilingual outreach materials, works with governmental officials to help ensure that immigrant women and children are treated with respect and dignity, works to enhance legal options and protections, and provides training to officials of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.
Facts and Reflection about Domestic Violence
- An estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men in the U.S. have been raped in their lifetimes. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e)
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men experience other forms of sexual violence in their lifetimes, such as sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact, and unwanted noncontact sexual experience. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e)
- In 2013-14, the various abuse treatment programs approved through the NC Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission accepted 4,674 referrals to serve perpetrators of domestic violence. Only 106 of those were self-referrals. http://www.councilforwomen.nc.gov/stats.aspx
- 4,774,000 women in the U.S. experience physical violence from an intimate partner every year. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e
- Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv-factsheet.pdf
- In the United States, an estimated 32.3% of multiracial women, 27.5% of American Indian/Alaska Native women, 21.2% of non-Hispanic black women, 20.5% of non-Hispanic white women, and 13.6% of Hispanic women were raped during their lifetimes.http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e
- An estimated 64.1% of multiracial women, 55.0% of American Indian/Alaska Native women, 46.9% of non-Hispanic white women, and 38.2% of non-Hispanic black women experienced sexual violence other than rape during their lifetimes. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e
- In 2014, there were 64 domestic violence homicides in North Carolina. http://www.nccadv.org/homicides-2014. As of September, 2015, there were 35. http://www.nccadv.org/homicides-2015
- The North Carolina Department of Justice reported 1,950 alleged rapes in 2012. This figure is likely low, since many sexual assaults are not reported to law enforcement. http://www.ncdoj.gov/getdoc/9d422e2e-5ee4-4b6a-a175-90b948e857a0/2012-Annual-Summary.aspx