Domestic abuse contradicts both the biblical foundation of caring for one another in marriage exemplified in the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s vision for the safety of our church community members. The Anglican Diocese of Sydney, to which St John’s Camden belongs, has unequivocally expressed its commitment to opposing all manifestations of domestic abuse, as outlined in the 2017 Synod Proceedings (page 368).
In alignment with this stance, the rector, ministry staff, and Parish Council of St John’s Camden have chosen to endorse the draft parish Domestic and Family Violence Policy 2017 as an interim policy for the parish.
All forms of domestic abuse are wrong. Perpetrators must stop.
The primary focus of this Policy is abusive or intimidating behaviour inflicted by an adult against a current or former spouse or partner.(Abuse involving children should follow child protection procedures.) Domestic abuse includes but is not limited to emotional, verbal, social, economic, psychological, spiritual, physical and sexual abuse. Such behaviour often seeks to control, humiliate, dominate or instil fear in the victim.
We are committed to safe places which:
1. Recognise equality amongst people,
2. Promote a culture of healthy relationships of mutual responsibility in marriages, families and congregations,
3. Ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse,
4. Strive to follow good practice in protecting those experiencing domestic abuse,
5. Refuse to condone any form of abuse, and
6. Enable concerns to be raised and responded to clearly and consistently
We uphold Faithfulness in Service as our national code of conduct for clergy and church workers, specifically its affirmations that:
1. Abuse of power is at the heart of many relationship problems in the Church and in the community. In essence, abuse is one person’s misuse of power over another. Sometimes abuse will be a one-off event and at other times it will be a pattern of behaviour, (6.2)
2. It is important for clergy and church workers to be good citizens and to obey the laws of the community, except where those laws conflict with Christian convictions, (6.4) and
3. You are not to abuse your spouse, children or other members of your family (6.6).
We recognise that Domestic abuse requires a serious and realistic response:
1. All forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the victim and are wrong
2. Domestic abuse can occur in all communities, including churches,
3. Domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of child abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour,
4. Working in partnership with vulnerable adults and children, statutory authorities and specialist agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse,
5. Clergy and lay ministers need to obtain advice from those with professional expertise when faced with situations of domestic abuse, and
6. Where mistakes in caring for people in difficult situations are made, an apology should be offered and advice sought on how to address any harm caused.
We respect people who come to us for help by:
1. Valuing, respecting and listening to victims of domestic abuse; Valuing, respecting and listening to alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse; Appreciating the need to ensure a distance is kept between the two; and Refusing to condone the perpetration or continuation of any form of abuse.
We uphold Scripture and its abhorrence of abuse in our words and public statements by:
1. Clearly teaching that domestic abuse is wrong and that the Bible should never be interpreted to justify or excuse any form of abuse. Rather a relationship between a husband and wife is to be characterised by love, care and kindness;
2. Clearly teaching that the Bible does not condone abuse and should not be interpreted to demand a spouse tolerate or submit to domestic abuse;
3. Raising awareness of domestic violence agencies, support services, crisis accommodation, resources and expertise.
We ensure safety first by:
1. Ensuring that those who have experienced domestic abuse can find safety and informed help as a first priority, and can continue to stay safe,
2. Taking it Seriously – Ensuring that any disclosures of abuse are taken seriously and not dismissed,
3. Getting help from outside – Working with the appropriate statutory authorities during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community,
4. Keeping it confidential – Respecting the need for confidentiality within the bounds of good Safe Ministry practice, noting that reporting requirements exist where there is an immediate danger, where a child is at risk of serious harm or where the matter involves a clergy person or church worker as an alleged offender, and
5. Challenging with Care – Carefully challenging inappropriate behaviour, but only in a way that does not place any individual, especially a victim, at increased risk.
We offer pastoral support to those in our care by:
1. Offering informed care – Ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care and professional help is offered to any adult, child or young person who has suffered domestic abuse,
2. Being guided by the victim – Never pressuring any victim of domestic abuse to forgive, submit to, or restore a relationship with an offender,
3. Understanding that reconciliation comes with conditions – Understanding that any reconciliation between victim and offender is dependent principally upon genuine repentance and reformation of the offender, and
4. Coordinating the care – Identifying the appropriate relationships of those with pastoral care responsibilities for both victims and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
If you have any concerns or need to talk to anyone please contact…
· The Police: dial 000
· 24/7 in emergencies where safety is at risk.
· 1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au
· 24/7 for sexual assault, & domestic violence counselling and advice.
· Child Protection Helpline: 132 111 or reporter.childstory.nsw.gov.au/s/mrg
· If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse.
· Lifeline: 131 114 or www.lifeline.org.au/get-help
· 24 hour telephone crisis line.
· Professional Standards Unit: 9265 1604 or safeministry.org.au
· Advice about abuse involving Anglican clergy or church workers
We recommend the following resources:
· Safe Ministry: The Sydney Diocesan website for Safe Ministry and domestic and family violence: https://safeministry.org.au/domestic-family-abuse/
Safer: A resource to help churches understand, identify and respond to domestic and family violence : http://www.saferresource.org.au
