“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
“Domestic and family violence is a significant issue in our society and one which we cannot ignore in our Diocese, including in our schools, parishes and agencies. It is essential that we are able to respond caringly and effectively to those who are affected by domestic and family violence,” says Archbishop Phillip Aspinall
“The difficulty with this approach is that it asks victims and survivors of domestic and family violence and abuse to pay the price for the rest of us to feel ok. They are often expected, tacitly or otherwise, to continue to bear the shame and embarrassment of a less-than-Christian family life so that we can continue to believe that Christians don’t do that sort of thing,” says The Rev’d Gillian Moses while reflecting on the expectation of victims and survivors to remain silent, as Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month approaches in May