Anger and heartbreak is rising in Australia over the epidemic of violence against women. In recent weeks, thousands have been protesting across the country following the deaths of seven women in the month of April bringing the 2024 tally to over 30. They are saying that enough is enough, we need action for a safer world.

Continuing a long tradition of advocacy for women's rights, safety and equality, over the coming months the Assembly will share a series of reflections on gender-based violence from diverse perspectives.

The name of the series is inspired by a prayer from Beyond Violence, the Assembly's resource on domestic and family violence, which affirms that God "calls us out of silence" to name the often hidden sin of violence against women.

written by President Rev Sharon Hollis

At the heart of the gospel is a vision of community where all know themselves beloved of God and part of a community of equality. The Christian community should be a community that seeks peace and condemns violence and is robust enough to challenge behaviour that is violent and degrading.

The Christian community should be a place where people who have experienced violence will be met with empathy, comfort and support. The Christian community is to be a community where people can use their gifts and graces regardless of gender or sexuality.

This vision of community is gifted to us by Christ and witnessed to in the biblical description of the earliest Christian communities. It is exactly the type of community we need to build, not just in our churches but in our homes, in our workplaces, in the groups and organisations we belong to and in whatever part of society we can influence.

As we grapple with the extent of family violence in our country, research tells us that creating communities of beloved equals is one of the keys to ending domestic family violence. Creating communities where women, men, non-binary and trans people not only are equal but feel equal is a key preventive factor.

I encourage you to look at your beloved Christian community and ask, "Are people really free to participate as they are called and gifted regardless of gender?"

What sorts of gender stereotypes do we perpetuate, sometimes without noticing? What jokes, comments and actions that promote violence or inequality do we overlook?

I give thanks for the work of agencies who both respond to and seek to prevent family violence. I rejoice in those communities who are actively working towards becoming communities of beloved equality. I pray for all impacted by domestic and family violence.

Prayer

O God, helper of the afflicted,
hear our cries for all those
who are enduring violence in their homes.
Sustain them as they seek help and guidance.

O God, helper of the afflicted,
hear our cries for all those
who have escaped violence,
are seeking to rebuild their lives.
Restore them to fullness of life.

O God, helper of the afflicted
hear our cries for all those
who mourn women and children
killed by an partner or ex-partner.
Comfort them in their sorrow.

O God, helper of the afflicted,
hear our cries for all those
who support people leaving family.
Grant them wisdom and resilence.

O God, helper of the afflicted
hear our cries for all of these,
for our society as we confront violence.
Give us courage to change
so that family violence might come to an end.

We pray in the name of Christ our companion. Amen

Rev Sharon Hollis was among almost 300 women who signed an open letter last week calling on the Prime Minister to boost the Jobseeker rate to provide economic security for women leaving violent situations. Read the media release here.