W.A.S.H. - Women & Men Against Sexual Harassment & Other Abuses

As a part of the body of Christ, we recognize His calling to facilitate healing for all the members of His body, particularly those within our sphere of influence as a church. We recognize that many of our members have suffered from one kind of abuse or another and that their spiritual growth may well be seriously hindered as a result. We are therefore committed to cultivating healing environments in the family, church and church-related workplaces to restore both victims and perpetrators of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

We are particularly concerned with safeguarding our children from the abuses perpetuated from generation to generation and protecting them from being subjected to abuse in school, church or youth activities.

Through educational means, W.A.S.H. will help church members and leaders stop harassment and abuse. This will involve training and utilizing the resources of experts in the field to interrupt the cycle of denial and facilitate healing.

You tiny flash of brilliant color
dashing to and fro among the flowers,
now you are motionless.
Now you are in rapid movement in the air,
Going from blossom to blossom,
sometimes going forward,
sometimes backward,
and other times hovering with wings a blur.

Victims of abuse learning to survive,
are sometimes motionless,
and other times changing course.
They must quickly learn to adapt.
They make mighty efforts
to survive in very hostile environments.
Although fragile, they can be strong.

When our Creator touches them with new life,
they will sing a new song.
They will brighten the world in a new unique way.
They will become a new creation
with special beauty to spread the pollen
of heaven's gift of love to all humanity.
The heavenly pollen,
Bread, we may say, will fill the hunger,
in many who have long endured the pain of abuse.
You tiny flash of brilliant color that flies before my eyes,
now I see more clearly
how much these hummingbirds are needed.

By Peggy and Mel Harris, September 12, 1993.
Dedicated to a new life and restoration for victims of abuse.

W.A.S.H. has selected the hummingbird as our symbol of abuse survivors. The hummingbird is a small, delicate, and fragile creature. Its powerful wings give it the ability to fly up, down, forwards, sideways or backwards. While sipping nectar from a flower, it can hover motionless like a helicopter. It helps to spread pollen to many kinds of flowers. Hummingbirds are equipped to reach deep into flowers or to catch insects in flight. The male hummingbird will fight off enemies much larger than himself.

Those who have suffered sexual, physical, emotional or spiritual abuse, are emotionally delicate and fragile beings. Yet in order to survive, they have had to become strong. Their lives may have had to change direction in order to survive abuse. Great strength is required to maintain a functional life. There may be seen and unseen scars. Abuse victims who have committed their pain to God have been given a special beauty to share with other hurting beings on this planet. Even though shattered by their experience of abuse, with God's help and healing, they are made strong and powerfully enabled to protect other innocents from abuse. Thus the cycle of abuse from generation to generation can be stopped and healing for victims can begin.

Those of us who have never suffered any type of abuse can be protectors of these precious creations of God and help in the restoration process.

Our Creator, who took time to create the tiny hummingbird, also takes intense interest in recreating and renewing life in victims of abuse, whether they are young or old. When we see the brilliant flash of color as the hummingbird flits from flower to flower, we can remember that God cares for each one of us.

2. To enlist interested individuals, members and financial supporters in order to achieve the goals of this organization.

3. To train pastors, teachers, and church leaders, including women's ministry coordinators, to recognize symptoms of abuse, understand their responsibility, and be aware of available resources to help victims and teach offenders to avoid high risk situations.

4. To gather and prepare educational materials (tapes, videos, brochures, etc.) about various forms of abuse that reflect abusive attitudes toward women, men and children.

5. To provide a list of available seminars, workshops, and speakers on the subject of abuse for worker's meetings, campmeetings, retreats, church forums and youth camps.

6. To obtain a copy of each local conference's statement on abuse and sexual harassment.

7. To assist the North American Division Commission on Sexual Ethics and other divisions as needed.

CHAIRPERSON/SECRETARY:
Peggy Harris
Creative Hospitality Ministries
Burtonsville, MD

BOARD MEMBERS:
- Beckey Barker, MS, Silver Spring, MD.
- Cheryl Cooney, B.S., MSed., C.P.C.U., New York
- Mable Dunbar, PHD, LPC, Polly’s Place Network, Spokane, WA
- Karen Fettig, Window of Hope Ministry, Wyoming
- Melanie Harris, B.S., Burtonsville, MD
- Kathleen & Michael Jefferson, B.S./MA, Psychotherapist, Professor, Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA.
- Julie Handysides, B.A. Alere, Marketing and Recruitment Territory Manager, North Carolina
- Glenn and Carol Munson, Pastor / RN, Redlands, CA
- Patsy Trefz, B.S. Physical Therapist, co-owner Flagstaff Physical Therapy Clinic, Kamuela, HI.
- Carolyn Watkins, Black-eyed Peas Resource Center, Inc. Free lance writer. Atlanta, GA.