What is the Domestic Violence Project?
The aim of the project is “to recognise and increase awareness of family and domestic violence in church parishes and to develop skills for clergy and lay leaders to respond when instances of family and domestic violence become known.”
Church leaders are invited to attend free sessions delivered at Forums and conferences, which include information on support services available for victims of domestic and family violence. The Forums will allow leaders to access resources and information presented by specialist domestic violence staff from government and non-government agencies in their local area.
The Forums will also be a great avenue for leaders to establish contacts with local support services. The sessions presented by expert panellists will include the role of NSW Police and how Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders work in NSW. Lawyers will also be presenting on legal avenues available for victim-survivors.
Resource Kit
A new Resource Kit has been developed by the NSW Ecumenical Council, to provide guidance and empower religious and community leaders to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. The Resource Kit will be provided to leaders attending the forums hosted by the NSW Ecumenical Council.
The sessions at forums and conferences will also provide information on where perpetrators can find help and support to change their behaviours.
Leaders will receive an invitation via email to attend forums hosted within their local government areas.
The Project includes an initiative known as the ‘Declaration of Unity’ which invites all institutions to take part in to stand united against domestic and family violence.
If you would like to attend a future event, please contact projectofficer@nswec.org.au to be included in the invitation lists.
Project Outcomes
Clergy and lay leaders:
- Are more informed about the likelihood that family and domestic violence, in different ways can occur in families in their parish,
- Are better informed how Christian teaching can unwittingly contribute to parishioners’ continued exposure to family and domestic violence,
- Are better informed about the long-lasting impacts of family and domestic violence on its victims, adults as well as children and that at times, deaths occur,
- Feel more resourced to support victims and perpetrators of family and domestic violence as pastoral carers as well as referring to specialised service providers,
- Are feeling more resourced to promote their parish as a ‘violence free’ parish.
What can religious leaders do?
Christian and community leaders play a vital role in supporting victim-survivors in situations of domestic and family violence. The leaders also help address issues in the community, empower and guide victim-survivors to access the support services they need.
Referrals to support services is an essential part in guiding victim-survivors to the help needed to address their immediate needs and keep them safe and well.
Often, victim-survivors contact leaders in their communities to seek advice and guidance and being accessible and having the rapport with the community is the first step to providing support to victim-survivors, this is why it is important for leaders to be well-equipped to address the needs and raise awareness to their communities about domestic and family violence.