May 29, 2024
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 is sharing 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.
"My heart breaks when I see or hear of situations where children are mimicking behaviour modelled in the home and lament this is an issue which is not going away."
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written by Frontier Services
While most Australians live in urbanised coastal towns and cities, many continue to live in rural and remote communities, to which Bush Chaplains are called to serve.
Many of these rural and remote communities are geographically dislocated from readily available resources and services.
For people facing situations of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) this creates complex issues in seeking any form of structured support. Present and reliably available support services, emergency accommodation and regular police availability are usually absent from such communities.
Many rural and remote communities are small and have a shortage of housing or short-term accommodation generally. The presence of suitable emergency housing is rare, and even if it can be found, there is often a complete inability to guarantee the safety of the person who needs it. This forces the person to head off out of town, usually at night, on a lonely road, dodging wildlife, in a heightened emotional state, possibly injured. And all this presumes access to a vehicle and the fuel needed to escape. Understandably, but sadly the decision to leave is shelved.
Living as part of a small population which is clustered together in a few small locations means everyone knows everyone else’s business and the challenge of confidentiality, privacy and safety are ever present tensions. Coping with people who like to share information without regard for accuracy or emotional fall out becomes as much part of the issue as the act of violence itself. This, along with the frequently held perception that family issues such as domestic and family violence should remain private, with fear of stigma, shame and exclusion, silences the woman’s experiences and deters her from disclosing the violence. Similarly, quite often community members won’t offer assistance unless they are directly approached by the victim.
One of our Bush Chaplains shared, “It is a constant source of angst for me as bush chaplain unable to assist in any way into this dilemma. I have no silver bullet and no capacity to source accommodation either. I can offer practical assistance such as material things (clothes, phone-chargers, food, limited money etc) as well as supporting the person to access other services in the closest regional town. This could result in a 2-hour drive and the fuel cost becomes a financial pressure. I have access to some funds to assist in this situation.”
Another Bush Chaplain echoed this sentiment saying, “As a Bush Chaplain I offer emotional, spiritual, and practical care as much as possible. Lamentably, what I offer scratches only the surface of this enormous issue in our region. At times, I shed many tears.”
Our Bush Chaplains note that there are a range of stressors that exist in all communities but are exacerbated by the impact of distance and isolation in rural and remote communities. These include:
- Lack of ongoing, stable employment;
- High levels of alcohol consumption;
- Increasing drug presence;
- Hidden online gambling issues;
- Wide ownership of and access to firearms;
- Economic pressures (employment, farming, cost of living and distance related costs);
- Anxiety around closing of small businesses and other services;
- Absence of any services that offer counselling support, financial counselling, legal advice, change behaviour programs and survivor support programs;
- Access has to be in the next major town, which involves 2-3 hour drive and the fuel and time costs associated with that;
- Often long wait times to see doctors or other specialist services;
- Double edged social events such as community sport, where access to alcohol is unlimited and the resulting behaviours from that. These can be absorbed in a larger city, but in a small and remote community they are spotlighted;
One Chaplain further noted that all these factors are becoming magnified by the impact of natural disasters or extreme and unpredictable weather events.
Bush Chaplain Marian Bisset writes, “Whilst the bush chaplain can be a presence and offer emotional support, there is little else to offer because most of our remote regions have nothing to support those who are affected by DFV. My heart breaks when I see or hear of situations where children are mimicking behaviour modelled in the home and lament this is an issue which is not going away. Despite all the media attention, government money and education programs available it remains an issue. The breakdown of social cohesion and respect for one another has much to answer for, alongside changing financial and employment security.”
Bush Chaplain Ric Payne shared, “My responses have included some referrals to the appropriate professional services, the delivery of food hampers [from two different Uniting Church congregations], the purchase of a bus ticket out of the community for one and helping some others to access the Escaping Violence Payment. In all, I listen and support those with whom I come into contact, yet also try to be aware of what is not being said. Trust takes time to grow and once established, people are willing to go deeper in sharing their stories of loss, pain and grief.”
Frontier Services supports a network of Bush Chaplains across rural and remote Australia, trained professionals who live and work within their communities, offering practical, pastoral and spiritual care and support. They are often the first point of contact for people in need and work to connect people to the services wherever they can.
Frontier Services also has its Outback Links program, connecting our network of volunteers with individuals and communities in rural and remote Australia who need a helping hand and friendship.
Read more at www.frontierservices.org.
This reflection from Frontier Services is the second in the Out of Silence series, grappling with Gender Based Violence. You can read the first reflection from Rev Sharon Hollis, President of the Uniting Church, here.