Family Violence Commission Charter

Preamble

Family violence is continuing to affect women, children, and men in all sections of society.

This includes parishioners in our church communities. 

All sectors in Australia – Government and non-Government – are united in the fight against this violence.

This Commission has been established to help our churches respond to the tragic reality of family violence and work towards its prevention.

Churches have a responsibility to understand and stand firm against violence that often happens behind closed doors.

The NSW Ecumenical Council wants to engage its member churches to stand against family violence that is occurring both within their church communities and also in the broader community.

Clauses

The work of the Family Violence Commission will focus on:

1. Raising awareness within church communities about the incidence and effects of family
   violence.
2. Liaising and engaging with Government, non-Government and other decision makers to
   establish collaborative partnerships and mutual understanding.
3. Identifying and providing suitable resources for church communities to increase
   awareness of family violence, whilst recognising that each church community is different in
   its traditions and daily work.
4. Working with the leadership of the Safe Church Program to engage member churches to
   adopt its philosophy and practices.
5. Supporting church communities to partner with local community organisations to
   develop a prevention and early intervention model for family violence.

Membership

Membership of this Commission is from the member churches of the NSW
Ecumenical Council. Observer positions are welcome from non-member churches upon
approval of the Executive of the Council.

This Charter is as at 2nd November 2015

In 2020 the NSW Ecumenical Council received a grant from the Glenburnie Fund, administered by the NCCA, for a p/t family and domestic violence worker who works with church communities to gain a better understanding of family and domestic violence, to meet local service providers and to provide resources for referral. In 2021 a grant was received from the Collier Charitable Fund to continue this project.