What can we do with the 
Culture of Silence? Part 1

• “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8, NLT).

• “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young” (Isaiah 40:11, NLT).

• “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT).

• “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever’” (Revelation 21:3-4, NLT).

Culture is defined by Mirriam Webster as:

a: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group also  : the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time.

b: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization a corporate culture focused on the bottom line.

Silence is defined by Mirriam Webster as:

1: forbearance from speech or noise : MUTENESS 

—often used interjectionally

2: absence of sound or noise : STILLNESS in the silence of the night

There are many forms of being silent.

Culture of Silence

1. Negative: As a Christian Counselor we find many victims who have been violated or harmed domestically. Too much silence when it comes to violation on victims. 

   1. Perpetrators – Children who have been molested, the perpetrators tell the victims don’t tell or you will get in trouble or the don’t tell or I will kill your parents, etc.

      1. According to Arkansas Valley Resource Center:

         1. “Several women and men have come forward, sharing their experience with the “Culture of Silence”, wherein they were sexually abused, assaulted or harassed by someone in a possible position of authority or seniority over them; someone they knew, worked with, or worked for.”

         2. Many others have the mentality of silence being “…hidden in plain sight” (#METOO).

         3. Many know the individuals know of the situations going on, but rarely doing something about it. (Culture of Silence).

         4. What we must acknowledge is that sexual abuse is not about gratification but about having control over the individual, power!

         5. This abuse was done with no consent from the individual.

            1. There is so much concerning about the Culture of Silence, I am barely touching the surface.

            2. “…exertion of one’s power over another, by force that can be physical, emotional, mental, financial, and/or sexual, giving the perpetrator a sense of control over their victim” (#METOO). 

As I recall my own history, I find that being abused and silent closes me off to people that can assist me in the healing process of my spirit, soul and body. 

• Self-esteem is lost

• Fear is an automatic emotion when someone is abusing the victim.

• The victim feels that they have no way out; or help.

But where I found strength is realizing that God is not the blame, it is the

perpetrators.  And then my go to encouraging scriptures is the book of

Psalm. 

• It is natural for the victim close themselves off from others.

• They feel they don’t have anybody they can trust

  • I can say, from experience, there is a “…friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

  • There is healing that is possible if the victim sees hope and realizes that not everyone is a perpetrator and that they can come out to someone who they trust and believe that they have the compassion, empathy and/or sympathy towards the victim at hand.

  • My opinion, God sends someone to everyone, it is just the victim must see the hope in who God sends their way.

  • We are all God’s creation and He loves who He creates/forms in “Their”; e.g., God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit’s, likeness and image.

“No Longer a Victim but a Victor” through God who makes all things new. 

Feel free to share and or ask for prayer in the comment section of this blog. 

Stay tuned for part 2.  

Blessings to all, 

Pastorette Trish Martinez

October 28, 2024