"Domestic Abuse" by Darby A. Strickland. A Review

Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue (Resources for Changing Lives)Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue by Darby A. Strickland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Just plain wow! Darby Strickland, a Christian Counselor who teaches Counseling Abusive Marriages,through CCEF's School of Biblical Counseling, has penned a potent and profitable manuscript, and packaged it in this 52 page mini-book. The subject is serious, the content constructive, and the tone is tutorial.

Strickland begins with an opening scene where "Clint" and "Ashley" are sitting in her office beginning counseling...actually, she's the sixth counselor they've seen. The author is caught completely off guard by the tactics "Clint" uses to cover up his own oppressive conduct and actions. It took several sessions before she realized what was happening and the danger "Ashley" was in. I almost fell out of my chair as I was reading this scene, because it followed a pattern I too had experienced a few short years ago. Then I sat up and started taking note. The author unpacks the traits of oppressive people: (1) they feel entitled; (2) they dominate others; (3) they use threats; (4) the punish others in order to command and control; (5) they are blind to the destructive nature of their actions; (6) they feel justified in how they treat others; (7) the view themselves as blameless; (8) they will often see themselves as the real victim; and (9) they often shift the blame onto others (26-36). She also works through the patterns that the oppressed often show, and how to care for them.

"Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue" is a handy tool to have around and read periodically. It is well documented, and lists a number of helpful addresses, web sites, and phone numbers in the back. Pastors, as a Pastor you need this booklet now because there are some sitting in your pews or comfy chairs who will be visiting you soon. You need this info, you need to become familiar with these traits, the questions to ask, and what to look for. I'm going to be honest: we have not done a good job in helping oppressed people (normally women and children) and have often been taken for a joy ride by very tricky oppressors. I cannot recommend this pamphlet to you enough!

Get a copy here: P&R Publishing

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