Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 October 2004 — Page 3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2004

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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DOMESTIC ► Continued from Page 1 will bring about awareness and acknowledge the issue.” The guest speaker will be state Rep. Carolene Mays, a victim of domestic abuse herself. “I believe the church’s position on divorce and submission is sometimes confusing to women,” said Mays. “They get confused on whether they should move to a point of safety or hold onto their vows. I believe it i is not God’s will for us to be in an abusive relationship." Finnell is happy Mays agreed to speak at the event. “She didn’t know us but she said yes immediately,” said Finnell of Mays. “She didn’t hesitate.” However, many do hesitate. “The first reaction (by clergy) is usually disbelief,” said Finnell. “They think the person doesn’t ‘look’ like a batterer. But who ‘looks’ like a thief? The second reaction is doubt. They will usually say, ‘Keep the family to- 1 gether.’ But if abuse is occurring the family is not together.” So then how do you bring this issue into the open? “Open up a forum where you get the liberty to discuss it,” said Finnell. “We need to give permission and a safe forum to discuss domestic violence.” Finnell feels the church should be one of those safe forums, but there are problems that need to be addressed. “The clergy have limited knowledge of the issue,” said Finnell. “1 believe it is a scourge against your faith, whatever your faith is. If we

don’t speak out against it, we condone it.” The other issue Finnell believes hinders Christians specifically is the structure of the church. “We teach headship as a dictatorship," she said. “The Bible teaches it should be a servant leadership. We’ve misappropriated the word of God by preaching a dictatorship." Finnell has her own sight as to where the church should end up concerning domestic violence. She feels there should be less ignoring of the problem. “I’d like to see a zero tolerance in the church,” she said. “That would have to come from the males in leadership.” As of press time, there were only five males to participate in the conference. “I was hoping for more,” said Finnell “but maybe they will tell others.” Finnell is serious about the issue of domestic violence and carries strong words for those who commit it. “Battery is a choice,” she said. “Domestic abuse is about power, control and manipulation. It is perpetrated by weak individuals. The word perpetrator basically means terrorist. They are no better than the terrorists this country is battling right now.” To register for the conference, call Finnell at Christ Temple at (317) 923-7278 or e-mail her at [email protected]. The conference includes a free lunch. Registration is also available at the door.

Help for missing and exploited African-American children

(NAPSJ) — They are nightmares familiar to any parent, but for too many families, child abduction and sexual exploitation are haunting realities. Statistics show that this is particularly the case in the African-American community. The U.S. Department of Justice’s second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children reported that of the 58,200 non-family abductions in the United States, 65 percent involved minorities, with 42 percent of them AfricanAmerican children. Many believe that as a society, our efforts to prevent crimes against children have not kept pace with the increasing vulnerability of our children. However, many "crimes that are committed against children can be prevented. The most effective key to child safety is effective communication with your child. “Communities are often unaware of how serious this problem is and are not 'informed on steps they can take to keep children safer,” said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for [Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). “Because they are disproportionately affected, NCMEC is espejcially concerned about child safety in minority communijties,” he added. More than 797.000 children were reported missing in 1999. “Statistics show that one in five girls and one in 10

MISSING & EXPLOITED C H I l 0 ft C N* boys will be sexually victimized before reaching adulthood,” said Allen. NCMEC’s Minority Outreach Program was created to increase awareness of problems associated with missing and exploited Afri-can-American and Hispanic children. Goals are to educate families on ways to keep children safer from potential predators and offer help on what to do should a child become a victim. The program helps families and individuals recognize suspected cases of sexual exploitation; encourages them to listen to their children; and provides information on what to do, who to call, and other ways to address the needs of their children. “The sexual exploitation of children is largely unrecognized and underreported. We need to shed light on this crime so victims can be identified and child predators can be stopped,” said Allen. NCMEC offers services for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered and sexually exploited children. To request information on the Minority Outreach Program and tips on how to talk to your kids, visit www.missingkids.com or call 1-800-THE-LOST.

Pad tor Dy me Committee to Elect Dawd OenflicPer David GaCovrtcfi Treasurer

Re-Elect State Representative

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Honorary Co-Chairs: Congresswoman Julia Carson and Hon. Andy Jacobs. Jr.

Democrat

Ballot #8B

Creating high-paying jobs Building stronger schools Making health care affordable Doctor, lawyer, ethicist Husband, father, Sunday School teacher

-■f Sycamore School Where Gifted Kids Thrive

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Sunday, October 24 3 to 5 p.m.

1750 |HFst 64th Street, IndtangtoJis, IN

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< OMTM. SOON TOJOTAMORT'S ( AMPI N ■ A NEW I.YI^UBRARY. AND

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Taking my money is abuse.

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For help with domestic abuse, call 317.926.4357

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www.domesticviolencenetwork.org

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