By Laura BennettFriday 24 Nov 2023Hope AfternoonsSocial JusticeReading Time: 3 minutes
Warning: The following article contains mentions of domestic violence. If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. If you have been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
When water polo coach Lillie James was brutally murdered last month, the nation was confronted again by the horrific, unrelenting ugliness of our issue with intimate partner violence and domestic and family abuse.
According to the Red Heart Campaign – a journalist-led project which tracks every known Australian woman and child killed as a result of murder, manslaughter or neglect – Lillie was the 55th woman to be killed this year, with two others killed in the same 10-day window.
On average in Australia, one woman dies every week at the hands of a current or former partner, and with just 5 weeks left in 2023, the country’s now on track to surpass the annual average.
It’s shocking. It’s disgusting. And the solutions needed are as nuanced as the issue itself.
Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25th, Anglicare Australia are encouraging church communities to understand their role in creating safe places for women and address teachings that may be facilitating abuse.
“Sadly, the rates of [domestic violence] in the church community are pretty similar to the wider community,” Anglicare Family and Domestic Violence Advisor Lynda Dunstan told Hope 103.2.
That means, according to the National Anglican Family and Domestic Violence Report, that 1 in 4 “churchgoing” women and 1 in 13 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
“[Churches] need to learn about [abuse], make it clear what it looks like and know that it’s never justified by any reading of scripture.”
“It’s a really important issue and we need to be able to talk about [and] acknowledge that it is happening in the church community,” Lynda said.
“It’s affecting women in our communities, and that sadly means there are likely to be men in our communities perpetrating abuse in their relationships.
“[Churches] need to learn about [abuse], make it clear what it looks like and know that it’s never justified by any reading of scripture.”
In order to support women affected by domestic abuse, Anglicare launched their Renew guide. It breaks down the practicalities of addressing and removing yourself from violent situations and assists those alongside victims in being an effective support network.
“It includes a lot of practical information [about] what abuse is, what the Bible says about abuse [and] the path to recovery,” Lynda said.
“We want to encourage each survivor on that journey and hopefully [show] where her faith can be a source of encouragement and healing”.
“It [Renew guide] includes a lot of practical information [about] what abuse is, what the Bible says about abuse [and] the path to recovery,” Lynda said.
Anglicare’s Renew guide is available via their website.
Listen to the full conversation with Lynda Dunstan in the player above.
If you need help or support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. If you have been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.