There is an increasing awareness of the prevalence of family violence – also known as ‘domestic violence’ in Australia. Sadly the Christian Church is not immune to this kind of abuse.

The Victorian Family Violence Protection Act 2008 has the following explanation of family violence (Other states have similar explanations):

Family violence is any behaviour that in any way controls or dominates a family member and causes them to feel fear for their own, or other family member’s safety or well-being.
It can include physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or economic abuse and any behaviour that causes a child to hear, witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of that behaviour.
A violent family member may use several forms of abuse and violence over time. An ongoing pattern of control, intimidation and fear is the most usual pattern of family violence that police respond to.

The CRCA is firmly opposed to all forms of domestic and family violence. Husbands are specifically told “…Love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph.5:25) and are warned, to love their “…wives and not be harsh with them…” and to live with them “…in an understanding way” (Col. 3:19; 1Pet. 3:7).

Therefore, any attempt to twist the biblical teaching to tacitly sanction domestic violence or abuse is a gross perversion of the Bible’s teaching. Domestic and family violence is repugnant to God and an anathema to the biblical model of sacrificial love and service. 

In particular the Victorian Government Royal Commission into Family Violence Summary and Recommendations, published in March 2016 addressed the need for religious organisations to have a clear approach to this kind of abuse prevention and response, in Recommendation 165:

“Faith leaders and communities establish processes for examining the ways in which they currently respond to family violence in their communities and whether any of their practices operate as deterrents to the prevention or reporting of, or recovery from, family violence or are used by perpetrators to excuse or condone abusive behaviour.”

Family violence where there are children in the household is child abuse. Abuse where there are children involved must follow child protection procedures as the priority is the protection of children and their need to live and grow in a safe home.

The Safe Church Unit assists the Church in responding to and preventing family violence in our denomination. The safety of the victim and children (if there are any children under 18 in the family) is always the first priority in any response to a family violence situation. Please contact the Safe Church Facilitator with any specific enquiries or concerns relating to family violence.