Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts

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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.

Domestic and Family Violence and COVID-19

We are living in a time of families being confined to home and isolated from supports. For those families who are living with violence, these conditions provide even greater risks to safety. The pressures – financial, health and emotional and wellbeing – that have and will continue to come as a result of COVID-19, could escalate the violence, and the isolation make it more difficult to seek help. There is never an excuse for violence and help is available. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger ring 000. If you need to speak to someone 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) will continue to operate during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) health emergency, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If a person does not feel safe to call 1800RESPECT over the phone, they can speak with the  counsellors via webchat. 1800RESPECT counsellors are very experienced in how to sensitively handle contacts from those who are in the same house as the person using violence. The caller’s safety is their main priority.

As community members we can be sensitive to signs that violence is occurring in a family. Learn about Domestic and Family Violence through information on this website and others such as www.1800RESPECT.org.au You can get advice as to how to approach the situation through ringing the 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

PEOPLE SAY ...

if it's as bad as you say it is, why do you stay?

Three Lutheran women explain why leaving him
is harder than it seems.

 
Read their stories
DAFV Logo Mid

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.

carmel

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

Get Help

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, visit ANROWS Get Support webpage or call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the 24-hour National Sexual Assault Family Domestic Violence Counselling Service, or Lifeline Counselling (24 hours) 131 114. In an emergency, call 000.