You are Called as a disciple of Christ to Advocate for Victims
Jesus had a special sense of mission to poor and oppressed people. At the outset of his ministry, sometimes referred to as Jesus' mission statement, Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

I attended an event called “Denim Day” last Wednesday. It was sponsored by the Morris County Sexual Assault Center, Jersey Battered Women’s Services and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Denise Lang of the Morris County Sexual Assault Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital told the Daily Record newspaper that victims should not feel ashamed. "I think we as a society have made them feel guilty, rather than the crime victims that they are." Lang said, "Denim Day refers to an Italian Supreme Court ruling that said a teenage girl invited an attack by wearing tight denim jeans.”

To show our support for the victims of sexual assault we were to wear denim to this event. But for those who had to wear dress clothes to work, they made buttons to wear as a sign of solidarity with the Denim Day theme. (See photo). After the event I was getting coffee at Greenberry’s Coffee Shop. A man asked about this button that I was wearing. I told him about Denim Day’s purpose. He said, “Isn’t the victim always believed even when it isn’t true?”

This man’s attitude of assuming victims tell lies about sexual assault is a sad reminder of a common reality many assault victims suffer. Many crimes are never reported because the victims worry that they will not be believed and they feel ashamed of what happened to them. Telling the story of the assault and going through a very thorough evidence collection medical exam can be very intimidating, too. But the Prosecutor’s office understands this and does not force people to involve the police. The state of New Jersey provides funds to Morris County to enable the SANE nurses to give the medical care and evidence collection free of charge and allows the victim to decide later if they want to take the case to the police for investigation and prosecution or not.

In the spirit of our Lord and Savior who cared deeply for victims of oppression in all its forms, I offer this prayer for those suffering from abuse:

A Healing Prayer for Victims of Abuse
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong,always present, always just:

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, ease the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit. Hear our cries as we agonize over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers, soothe restless hearts with hope, steady shaken spirits with faith: Show us the way to justice and wholeness, enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy. Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people's wounds and transform our brokenness. Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace, so that we may act with justice and find peace in you. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(adapted from a prayer distributed by the United Conference of Catholic Bishops. See: www.usccbpublishing.org)