In Australia, one woman a week
is killed by a current or former husband or partner.
One in three women
has experienced physical violence.
Almost one in five women
has experienced sexual violence.
It is mainly men
who use violence against women and children.
Lutherans
are no more or less likely to be victims or perpetrators of
domestic or family violence than anyone else.
All women, men and children
deserve to live in respectful and fulfilling relationships, free of violence, abuse and control.
The Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Campaign
was activated upon this resolution of General Convention of Synod, the highest decision-making body in the Lutheran Church of Australia:
That the Convention of Synod reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of violence in the family and authorises [General Church Council] to commit resources for a church-wide campaign to address the prevalence of Family Violence amongst us, which may include sharing of resources, education initiatives and the provision of pastoral care to the survivors of violence, as well as the perpetrators of abuse.
Domestic violence ... won't go away if we simply ignore it.
Domestic violence is hidden behind many closed doors, including in our church. It won’t go away if we simply ignore it. We have to recognise that there is a problem and that it won’t be fixed by telling women to ‘go home and pray about it’, as I was advised to do. Read Carmel's story
