The Victorian Catholic Bishops have condemned family violence in the strongest possible terms, in a letter to the Catholic community.
The statement picks up on the words of Pope Francis that “we must always say ‘no’ to violence in the home”.
The letter, released in October this year, says that domestic violence is now a crisis in Australia. Figures show that a woman dies at the hands of her partner or ex-partner every week and that one in four children experience the distress of witnessing their mother being abused.
The Bishops say that it is women and children who most suffer as victims of domestic violence. They urge for a society where all people are safe in their homes and families and where violence and abuse are simply not acceptable.
They have asked that the whole Church community including priests, parishioners, teachers and the victims themselves work to prevent violence.
The Bishops call for responses to domestic violence which “provide victims with protection and help in rebuilding their lives, which make offenders accountable and assist their rehabilitation and importantly change those community attitudes from which violence emerges”.
The letter also opens the door to joining with other Churches and faith communities to support the necessary change while also congratulating the Royal Commission into Family Violence for its outstanding work and vital recommendations which have been promptly and positively responded to by the Victorian Government.
It builds on the work of Catholic social service agencies in prevention and assistance to victims – these include CatholicCare, McAuley Community Services for Women, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, The Samaritan Inn, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, VincentCare, etc.
To view the letter in its entirety, please Click Here.