Family and Domestic Violence

This week, Tasmania had a voice at Converge in Canberra, where Baptist leaders from across Australia met with politicians  advocating for stronger action on family and domestic violence (FDV).

Representing Tasmania were Matt Garvin, Jennifer Mountney, Kay Hunter and Nick Alexander, who  joined with others from the  Baptist Churches Nationwide to encourage the Federal Government to move proactively on this issue. Converge carry’s the collective  voice of 140,000 Baptist church attendees nationwide which often gives us access to senior politicians. 

In this instance the message is simple: it’s time to act.

Baptists believe every person is created in God’s image, loved and valued, and should be treated with equal regard. There is no place for physical violence, coercive control or other abusive behaviour in any relationship. Yet FDV remains a widespread and deeply entrenched challenge. The Converge delegation is calling for greater political will and practical investment to change this.

Among the priorities being raised are stronger capacity for communities and leaders to identify and respond to FDV, more wraparound support for people leaving crisis accommodation, increased social housing, more diverse men’s behaviour-change programs, and greater investment in healing and recovery for children and young people.

Teegan from the national team commented “Converge was filled with overwhelmingly positive meeting with Federal politicians. We shared about the issue of family and domestic violence, how Australia Baptists are responding through support services and local churches, and the important role federal government has in enacting positive change.”

With 1 in 4 women experiencing violence from an intimate partner, and 2 in 5 children witnessing… we can’t look away. We can use our voice to advocate for vulnerable people, following in the just ways of Jesus