The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has estimated that the cost of gender-based violence across the EU is €366 billion a year. Violence against women makes up 79 % of this cost, amounting to €289 billion. Ending violence is a world-wide concern.
enditnow Emphasis Day is on the world church's Calendar of Days and Events. General Conference Women's Ministries (GCWM) coordinates the production and distribution of the enditnow® Emphasis Day resource packets with contributions from six additional co-sponsoring departments of the General Conference: Children's Ministries, Education, Family Ministries, Health Ministries, Ministerial Association, and Youth Ministries. We encourage you to address this topic in your churches on the fourth Sabbath of August, which this year is August 28.
This year for enditnow® Emphasis Day we have chosen to focus on the issues of youth violence and pornography. These are not issues normally discussed, and we know that some will be uncomfortable with the topic. Yet it is vital that we recognize the problem. More and more we read in the newspapers of violence perpetuated by and against young people. We can no longer pretend that this problem exists only outside the doors of our church. Our young people are not safe! We must find ways to help them deal with the destructive and harmful effects resulting from these types of abuses. With God’s help we will make a difference in their lives and help the healing process to begin.
North American Division Women's Ministries contributed to the enditnow Emphasis Day resource packet for 2021. The sermon titled “Bringing Peace Home” is written by Sarah McDugal, MSA-ID, Author, Trainer, Abuse Recovery Coach, Wilderness to WILD, LLC. In the packet is an eBooklet she wrote, Abuse Advocacy, and an infographic poster, 13 Minimum Steps to Church Security (written with Gary Loster). Used by permission of Wilderness to WILD.
The seminar, “The Problem with Pornography: Addiction, Abuse, and Affliction” written by Erica Jones, Assistant Director of Women’s Ministries for North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Erica works with young women in the North American Division (NAD) in the areas of abuse, addictions, and pornography. Many young women have been helped by Erica’s commitment and dedication to bringing these issues to the surface. Erica also wrote a brochure for NAD enditnow, "There Is No Excuse for Abuse."
The seminar, “Dangerous Kissing Cousins,” written by Drs. Claudio and Pamela Consuegra, directors of North American Division Family Ministries, was published in Ministry® International Journal for Pastors, November 2019. The script of the presentation is in the packet. Used by permission.
For more information and resources, please go here.