Hope & Restoration
A Group for Women Who Have Experienced Abuse or Domestic Violence
Offered for: Women
Do you know the difference between abuse and the ordinary ups and downs of a relationship? Domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive behavior used to control and subordinate another person. It may include physical, sexual, psychological, spiritual, or economic harm. Abuse is always a choice, not simply the result of stress or provocation. Abuse often follows a predictable cycle: a calm season, rising tension, a frightening incident, and then a return to calm. This return can create false hope, keeping the victim silent and stuck. Over time, this cycle erodes equality and leaves the victim feeling devalued and unworthy of respect.
You Are Not Alone
Domestic violence is far more common than many realize. National research indicates that roughly one in four women in the United States will experience severe intimate partner violence in her lifetime, and Alaska Native women face some of the highest rates in the country. Nearly half of all women in the United States report psychological aggression from a partner. If you are suffering, you are not imagining it, you are not alone, and you are never to blame for another person’s choice to harm you.
Group Focus
It can be difficult to recognize and accept that you are in an abusive relationship. Acknowledging the truth is an important first step toward healing, clarity, and safety. In this group, we focus on:
Recognizing
abuse and understanding that it is not your fault
Identifying
patterns of control and harmful dynamics
Learning
healthier ways to respond and break the cycle of harm
Gaining
clarity through trusted resources and support
Building
a safe, supportive community
Seeking
guidance and leaning on God’s truth for strength and healing
Biblical Truth and Hope
Scripture is not silent on this subject. God hates violence and the one who loves it (Psalm 11:5, Malachi 2:16). Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church and never to be harsh with them (Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 3:19). The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Jesus came to bind up the wounded and set the captive free (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18). Your story does not end with abuse. The pain you have carried does not define your identity and does not have the final word. In Christ there is healing, restoration, safety, and a future filled with hope.
Seeing the Warning Signs
Warning signs rarely appear overnight. They often emerge gradually and intensify over time. Common patterns of coercive control include:
• Jealousy or possessiveness disguised as love
• Isolation from family, friends, or community
• Ongoing criticism, blame, or humiliation
• Control over finances, decisions, or daily life
• Monitoring phone, messages, or location
• Unpredictable anger or sudden mood swings
• Threats toward you, others, or self
• Intimidation, unwanted contact, or violence
• Misuse of Scripture or spiritual authority to justify control
“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
-Psalm 9:9-10