By Kisean Joseph
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The Seventh-day Adventist Church is calling on residents to join its annual End It Now March against abuse this Saturday, under the theme “Move with Compassion.”
Public Relations Officer for the Women’s Ministries Department of the South Leeward Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Lindale Daniel, said the march is now in its fourth year and forms part of a global initiative by the Seventh-day Adventist Church aimed at raising awareness around abuse in all its forms, including domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence and human trafficking, elder abuse, bullying, and emotional and psychological abuse.
“It is designed to raise awareness, to educate communities and to inspire action to ensure that every home, school and neighbourhood becomes a safe place for all people, school and neighborhood’,” Daniel said. “It confronts major social and moral crises affecting families and communities today.”
Daniel said the initiative recognises abuse not simply as a social issue, but as a matter of human dignity that demands a united response from all sectors of society. She explained that this year’s theme reflects a shift in approach, moving from a stance of resistance to one of active responsibility.
“Jesus was moved in compassion when he healed persons. He did not just recognize the ills in society, but he was moved with compassion into action,” Daniel said. “We’re simply not reacting to crime and violence and abuse. We’re responding with the heart of Christ’s compassion that moves us beyond outrage, moves us beyond fear.”
Daniel said the march is intended to call on residents to stand not only against the social ills affecting the country, but also in support of healing, restoration and the dignity of every man, woman and child.
Citing the toll of abuse locally as the reason for renewed urgency, Daniel referenced recent trends in violence and abuse affecting the community.
“If the way that we look at Antigua, and we see the increase in crime and gun violence and sexual abuse, even the 200 children for the past six months who have been affected by sexual abuse, does not move you into compassion, then nothing else will,” she said.
Daniel said the organisation recognises that no single entity can address all of society’s ills alone, and is calling on other community groups and organisations to stand in solidarity for the cause.
The march begins at 3 p.m. sharp on Saturday, August 22nd, at the Tindale Seventh-day Adventist Church on Valley Road, proceeding through the streets of Gray’s Farm. Participants will make four scheduled prayer stops along the route: outside True Style Salon, at the Crossroads, at the Nazarene Church of God, and at the Keithley Shepherd Recreational Park, formerly King George V Ground.
At each stop, organisers said that prayers will focus on themes including national repentance, a call for those involved in violence to cease and seek reform, healing for victims and their families, and the promotion of conflict resolution.
Church Calls Community to March Against Abuse
