LCF Partners with MoGAVA in Ending the Cycle of Violence & Abuse The LASCO Chin Foundation, who supported the forum, is actively collaborating with MoGAVA and other church organizations in curbing the cycle of violence and crime, especially among at-risk youths. Prof Hamilton provided an overview of the LASCO Chin Foundation and the work of the Foundation in addressing gender-based violence. Pastors from several churches, under the leadership of Pastor Jayson Downer, Founder of Men of God Against Violence and Abuse (MoGAVA), took a strong stand against the prevailing culture of violence and abuse and drew attention to the role of the Church at a forum entitled, “Treat the Batterer…End the Cycle,” held at the Quality Academics Auditorium on Sunday, November 25, 2018. Pastor Downer noted that “Violence against Women is a big issue in the Church and must be rooted out by the leadership of the Church.” Specially invited guest Novelette Grant, former Acting Commissioner of Police, noted that “the reason men become batterers are complex and multi-faceted and rooted in our violent history of slavery and perpetuated
in the home, in schools and in the church.” Speaking from personal experience, Kevin Heath identified his early upbringing in an abusive home as the main reason he battered his wife for years and pointed out that the church must take responsibility and address this very prevalent issue inside its walls. Pastor Teddy Jones, Chairman, Missionary Church Association in Jamaica, then formally addressed the role of the Church and unambiguously apologized for the role of the church in perpetuating violence against women. He said, “The church must start from a position of honesty recognizing that the Bible has been used to justify violence, abuse and the hegemony of women. We need to revisit the text and admit that some of the interpretation was wrong.” He pointed to the important role of the church today in correcting the interpretation errors of the past, mentoring young boys, and reaching out to men where they are in their communities and their homes and showing them another way.
THE LASCO CHIN FOUNDATION
YEAR-IN-REVIEW JUNE 2018 - MARCH 2019
27
