In our churches

– 22 June, 2021

The release of the key results of the National Anglican Family Violence Research Report recently into Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a key moment for the Anglican church. It brings together data from the Anglican church across Australia, church leaders and victim-survivors of IPV. It provides a snapshot of what is happening and what can be done to address this urgent and significant issue. 

The study reminds us that today, in Anglican churches around Australia, there are many women (and men) who are being abused and controlled by their partner. IPV refers to a pattern of violence including physical harm, sexual violence, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, coercive control and threats of violence. They are constantly walking on egg shells, unsafe in their own home. This is occurring amongst our spiritual family and people we worship alongside on a Sunday. If there was ever the view that domestic abuse only happens “out there” in the wider community, this report clearly shows a different picture. 

“We’re thankful that this report raises the profile of this issue and are praying that significant change will happen as a result.”

— Rev. Jo Gibbs, CEO of ADM

To people experiencing this violence, as an organisation we want to say – we hear you, we are disturbed and grieved and angry as we read this report, we recognise this is happening in our churches, we are praying for you, we stand with you. We’re thankful that this report raises the profile of this issue and are praying that significant change will happen as a result.

At ADM we recognise the importance of churches being equipped to respond well. When ADM provided the Restoring Sanctuary Innovation Grant in 2020, we acknowledged that IPV was a significant issue and that equipping the church was key. The result of that grant, The Sanctuary Approach, is a theologically-informed focus on the issue of domestic violence and how individual churches can create safe spaces for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. 

 Over the next six months, The Sanctuary Approach workshops are being rolled out in 15 churches around Australia. The workshops are for anyone wanting to be more equipped in addressing domestic abuse – ministers, small group leaders, or everyday Christians wanting to know more and be able to care for people in their church experiencing the trauma of IPV. The workshops are free and we are looking for more churches in Sydney who would like to run the one-day workshop for their leaders and congregations. Please get in touch if you would like your church to be involved.

ADM is hosting a workshop from 9:30am-4pm on 6 August at the ADM offices. Registration is free and you can register here.

We also want to say thank you to the individuals and organisations who have been working tirelessly to address this issue both in the church and the wider world. We’re thankful for your experience and expertise as we work together to create safe spaces for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

– Rev. Jo Gibbs, CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries

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