CSSV was pleased to join events held during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence including the Walk Against Family Violence and Holding the Light, an ecumenical service of lament.
This year's Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement was released in August and addresses the scourge of domestic and family violence in society.
Parish communities from across the Diocese of Sale have been participating in a pilot program since March 2022, enabling key parish community participants to be better informed and equipped to respond to domestic and family violence. The latest was held in Berwick on 19 July with 15 participants.
Parish communities in Traralgon have been empowered with knowledge, tools and a deeper understanding in 'lifting the lid' on, and responding to family and domestic violence.
A recent workshop in the south-east of Victoria, has provided participants an opportunity to better understand the experiences of those impacted by domestic violence and to consider how the causes of domestic violence can be addressed in our communities. 9 participants—clergy, volunteers and parish staff—from Wonthaggi and surrounding areas in Gippsland joined the Shining A Light workshop on 25 June at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Parish communities in the Gippsland region continue to equip themselves with knowledge, tools and a deeper understanding in how to respond to family and domestic violence as part of a pilot program being coordinated by Catholic Social Services Victoria and the Catholic Diocese of Sale. A series of ‘Shining A Light’ workshops have been running across the diocese since March 2022, with 20 people attending the most recent worksop at St Joseph's in Warragul.
Catholic Social Services Victoria, in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Sale, and with support from the Victorian Government via the Victorian Multicultural Commission, has continued to roll out its ‘Shining a Light’ Workshops to raise awareness of domestic violence within parish communities. The most recent sessions were held in Sale and Bairnsdale.
More than 120 people attended an online event hosted by CSSV to hear reflections and ‘next steps’ from a number of key speakers who attended the National Summit on Women’s Safety held from 6-7 September.
In a spirit of anticipation and celebration, staff, friends and member representatives of Catholic Social Services Victoria recently gathered for the 2021 Commissioning Mass and annual general meeting. It has been more than 12 months since CSSV has hosted an 'in-person' event, given the onset of COVID-19 restrictions soon after the national Catholic social services conference held in Melbourne last February.
Following the call of Victorian Bishops, Catholic Social Services Victoria has developed a resource kit for parishes in order to help them better respond to domestic and family violence. Resource kits are being distributed to every parish in Victoria, plus leading social services organisations.