HEALING UNSEEN WOUNDS
Toward an Inclusive Church for Male Survivors of Violence from a Trauma-Disability Perspective
Keywords:
Invisible Wounds, Inclusive Church, Male Victims of Violence, Trauma-Disability PerspectiveAbstract
Data shows that in 2024, there were 6,894 cases of violence against men. Unfortunately, society often overlooks male victims of violence due to notions of masculinity and patriarchy that position men as superior figures. As a result, male victims of violence lack a safe space to heal from their wounds. Trauma theology and disability theology emerge as efforts to foster an inclusive church that is welcoming to male victims of violence, helping them recover from their wounds. This study aims to explore efforts to build an inclusive church for male victims of violence through a trauma-disability perspective. This study employs a qualitative method using a literature review. The results indicate that trauma theology and disability theology offer a new paradigm for the church to accept and accompany victims in their healing process. This perspective also helps inclusive churches create safe spaces, foster supportive communities, and collaborate with external partners to facilitate the process of acceptance and recovery for victims. Thus, the church can actively serve as an inclusive agent for male victims of violence.
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