Family Violence Commission NSW/ACT Charter

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.

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 the broader community.

Charter Clauses

The work of the Family Violence Commission NSW/ACT 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 protocols with this Commission.

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 on family violence.

Membership

6. Membership of this Commission is to be drawn 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