anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Domestic and family violence

Justice & Advocacy Two women sitting inside on couches Justice & Advocacy

Addressing Church stereotypes, silence, blaming and lack of recognition

“Jan’s grief around her marriage ‘being broken’ and her beliefs that she had ‘betrayed’ her marriage vows and ‘broken her promises’ to God were profoundly influential in her initial inability to accept the priest’s help offered to her. These beliefs were grounded in what some parts of the Church espoused regarding the role of the Church, the Bible, the ‘sanctity of marriage’ and family,” says The Ven. Dr Lucy Morris, Chair of the ACSQ’s Domestic and Family Violence Working Group

Justice & Advocacy Jenny Clark (ACSQ Domestic and Family Violence Project Officer) and The Ven. Dr Lucy Morris (ACSQ Domestic and Family Violence Working Group Chair) outside St John’s Cathedral in 2023 Justice & Advocacy

Making the invisible visible

“Domestic and family violence remains a difficult issue for many in the Church. It’s an uncomfortable concept that is incongruous for those who value peace, love and care. And because of this we can develop a blind spot to this issue within our own families, workplaces, social networks, and indeed in our church communities,” says new Domestic and Family Violence Working Group chair The Ven. Dr Lucy Morris

Video Boy standing on a bridge Video

What causes homelessness and what can the community do to help?

“The causes of homelessness vary, but in the current housing crisis, there just isn’t enough housing for everyone…we have many callers who are unemployed or owned their own home, but can no longer afford this and cannot fin an alternative,” says Rees Maddren from Anglicare Southern Queensland

Justice & Advocacy A red bench was installed and commemorated in May 2023 at St Oswald’s Anglican Church in Banyo Justice & Advocacy

Banyo’s new red bench blessed

“It is important for St Oswald’s Church to increase domestic and family violence awareness as part of our parish’s Mission Action Plan. This plan helps Banyo parishioners implement our commitment to challenging violence, particularly violence within families,” says The Parish of Banyo’s Elizabeth Nunn

Video Anglicare staff member Video

What is coercive control?

Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse. With May being Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in Queensland, this Anglicare Southern Queensland video explains what coercive control looks like and how it can impact those who are affected by it

Justice & Advocacy Michael and Chris: Sleepbus volunteers and St Mark's, Buderim parishioners Justice & Advocacy

Sleeping on the job to serve God

“I became involved with Sleepbus in September last year after listening to an interview on the radio with a Sleepbus volunteer. My husband, Chris, and I relocated from Sydney to Buderim in 2022. After arriving I prayed that the Holy Spirit would lead us to a form of ministry where we could serve others. I believe it was God’s spirit and my sense of Christian social justice that led us to become involved with Sleepbus,” says registered nurse Michael Chittick from St Mark’s, Buderim

Spotlight Q&A St John's Crisis Centre President Diann Eadeh with members of the Order of St John Spotlight Q&A

Q&A with St Margaret’s Old Girl, St John’s Crisis Centre President and Gold Coast Volunteer of the Year, Diann Eadeh

Meet Diann Eadeh and find out about her current projects and goals, her thoughts on NAIDOC Week and “Being Together: Embracing Joy”, how St Margaret’s helped equip her for a life of service, how St John’s Crisis Centre and St Peter’s, Southport are working together to support mothers and children, and what person of faith inspires her the most and why

Features Allison Baden-Clay Features

“Let’s acknowledge the good news that domestic and family violence is preventable”

“My involvement in the domestic and family violence space began when my sister, Allison Baden-Clay, was murdered by her husband in April 2012. Her story shocked and gripped the nation. It resonated with people in the community and was in the media almost daily for months. At the time my family wondered why there was so much interest in Allison’s story,” says Vanessa Fowler OAM from St Paul’s, Ipswich and the ACSQ Domestic and Family Violence Working Group

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