anglican focus

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

Domestic and family violence

Events Woman priest standing next to sandstone church wall Events

2024 Felix Arnott Lecture

The Rev’d Dr Joan Riley from St Barnabas College will present the Felix Arnott Lecture during Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. Dr Riley will discuss the topic of ‘Scripture and Silence in a Context of Domestic and Family Violence’. Register online by 10am Thursday 9 May. See more.

Events Image of lit candles in a large bowl filled with sand Events

Shine a Light on Domestic & Family Violence

To mark the start of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month, join in a candle vigil in remembrance of those who have lost their lives as a result of DFV. All welcome and a light supper will follow the vigil. Free event. See more.

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

Features Features

Dinah’s story – a gift of hope

“Dinah began to receive lessons in entrepreneurship through ABM’s Anglicans in Development (AID) Gender Equality Project: ‘I took a keen interest in this group because I had a bit of formal education, which helped me apply what I was learning’”

Reflections Reflections

St John’s Crisis Centre: “It all happens inside the church”

“It all happens inside the church on Hamilton Avenue in Surfers Paradise…People are fed in the church. Emergency relief interviews are held in the church. It’s God’s house, so the church is the best place for people to be cared for. I think Jesus would love the fact that His house is being used to help His people in need every day,” says General Manager of St John’s Crisis Centre, Dianne Kozik

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