Many Catholic social service organisations work to respond to the situation of victim survivors, and together we long for a country and culture where violence in the home does not happen. To make this ideal closer to reality we must be intentional and create change at a community level.
Government is funding service responses, but research shows faith communities have a significant role to play. The need to be aware of what constitutes as violence, to be able to identify and work through the factors that perpetuate such levels of violence in our communities, as well as being equipped to respond with Christian love and concern is an ongoing task for us all.”
Together with social services and schools, parishes have a key role to play to be a part of a whole of Church approach to community awareness and prevention, and a just and compassionate response to violence in the home. COVID-19 has amplified and compounded the need for attentive action.
Resources for addressing domestic violence in Faith Communities
What works to address violence against women and family violence within faith settings.
National Anglican Family Violence Research: Top Line Results.
CSRM paper into faith-based communities’ responses to family and domestic violence.
Research into how faith communities can best respond to and prevent family violence and violence against women.
Lessons learn regarding to empowering faith and community leaders to prevent violence against women.
Articles related to responding to domestic violence
Holding the light for those impacted by family and domestic violence
As people gathered in silence, in a church in Melbourne’s CBD, a bell tolled 54 times—one toll for each women known to have been murdered in Australia since 1 January as a result of domestic and family violence. The ecumenical service, Holding the Light, is an annual opportunity to remember and pray for victims and survivors of family and domestic violence. It is also an occasion to name out loud, those who have died in the past year.
Empowering parish communities to deepen understanding and response to family and domestic violence
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, the Hon. Vicki Ward MP, has shown her support for the work conducted by Catholic Social Services Victoria and the Catholic Diocese of Sale in helping to educate, inform and equip parish communities to address domestic and family violence. Together with Bishop Greg Bennet of the Diocese of Sale, Minister Ward launched the report, Shining a Light: A collaborative project working to build capacity for a whole-of-Church response to domestic and family violence last Friday in Warragul.
Service Providers providing assistance to those impacted by domestic violence
Family & Domestic Violence support
Good Samaritan Inn
Good Samaritan Inn is a specialist service providing crisis, short-term and transitional accommodation and support for women, children and young people who are experiencing family violence or homelessness.
Family & Domestic Violence support
Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand
Good Shepherd tackles the significant issues impacting women, girls and families. Support services for women, parents and families, and youth.
- Level 1, 485 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- (03) 9495 9600
- goodshep.org.au/
Disability Services
VincentCare Victoria
VincentCare Victoria supports people experiencing homelessness, advocacy and support for women and children escaping family violence and employment for people with disability.
- 43 Prospect Street, Box Hill VIC 3128
- (03) 9611 9200
- www.vincentcare.org.au/
Prayer to End Domestic and Family Violence
Loving God,
We pray that all women and children will find a place and life free from violence, and children will be cared for in nurturing, protective and supportive ways.
We pray for young men that they may find models of respectful relationships, and reject the violent and demeaning images of manhood current in our society.
We ask for the courage to confront the causes of family violence, including the prevalence of violence in society, abuse of power and the unequal position of women in the community.
We pray for right and just relations between all people, so that together we may transform and overcome violence in all its forms.
We long for the time you have promised, when violence is banished, women and men are open to love and be loved, children are protected, and the work and wealth of our world is justly shared. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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