In the United States, 37% of women will experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking in her lifetime. Abuse and domestic violence are a widespread societal problem, including among Latter-day Saints—no group of people or area of the country or the world is exempt. Domestic violence is a threat to the safety and well-being of women, and thought it's not easy to talk about, it's something we must talk about, become educated about, and be vigilant to watch for and prevent.
Today I am honored to welcome my friend, Leah Moses, to the podcast to discuss this critically important topic. In May of this year, Leah suffered the unspeakable loss of her oldest child, Om Moses Gandhi, who was murdered by his father, Leah’s ex-husband. Despite Leah’s efforts for 15 years to protect her own son, in the end she was not believed. Leah has so bravely spoken up about her experience with the goal that this tragic moment results in systemic change for Utah and beyond, and I’m grateful she is willing to share her experience with other Latter-day Saint women.
“Perhaps some of you, however, consider the accounts of survivors, and your soul cries out that you are living a survival story right now as a victim of abuse, neglect, bullying, domestic violence, or any suffering of this kind. You are in the midst of your own desperate attempt to survive a situation that feels very much like a disastrous shipwreck or a promising mission suddenly aborted. Will you ever be rescued; will you make it through your own survival story?
The answer is yes. You can survive. You have in fact already been rescued; you have already been saved—by the One who has suffered the very torment you are suffering and endured the very agony you are enduring.1 Jesus has overcome the abuses of this world2 to give you power to not only survive but one day, through Him, to overcome and even conquer—to completely rise above the pain, the misery, the anguish, and see them replaced by peace.”
- Elder Patrick Kearon, April 2022 general conference
Challenge: This week I challenge you to first read, learn, and understand more about domestic violence (see resources linked below!). Next, I challenge you to BELIEVE. Believe the women, children, and others who talk to you and tell you about their experiences with physical, emotional, sexual, and/or other abuse.
Resources:
Power and Control Wheel: https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/
National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/
See “Violence Against Women" Utah Women and Leadership Toolkit: https://www.usu.edu/uwlp/resources/toolkits
Domestic Violence Among Utah Women Snapshot: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.usu.edu/uwlp/files/snapshot/46.pdf
Susan Madsen Deseret News Op-Ed: “Opinion: These mothers have to send their children into abusive situations. We can change that.” https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/5/23/23733054/prevent-child-abuse-utah
April 2022 Elder Patrick Kearon General Conference Talk: “He Is Risen with Healing in His Wings: We Can Be More Than Conquerors” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/24kearon?lang=eng
Official Church Resources: Abuse.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Learn More:
Learn more about Dr. Susan Madsen at www.susanrmadsen.com
Sign up to receive monthly emails from Dr. Madsen about updated research, resources, and events at www.utwomen.org. These can be helpful whether you are in Utah or beyond.
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