‘Renew’ addresses domestic abuse

Anglicare has launched a practical resource for women who encounter domestic abuse, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women late last year.

The book, titled Renew – an Australian Guide for Christian Women Survivors of Domestic Abuse, is designed for use within Christian communities, parishes and small church groups.

“When a woman is experiencing domestic abuse, she is often overwhelmed by shame, self-blame and fear –will she be believed if she tells someone what is happening?” says Lynda Dunstan (right), the book’s editor and Anglicare’s family and domestic violence advisor. “She may also be confused – is this really abuse? And wonder how God wants her to respond to her situation – does he even know what is happening to her?

“If she does reach out to support services, it can be quite overwhelming to have to share the story of her experiences many times and try to find the right support, plus she may wonder if services will understand the particular challenges she is experiencing as a Christian – challenges like spiritual abuse, being told she is sinful or evil by the abuser, Scripture being used to control or humiliate her – and also wondering if her church community will believe her and support her. The complexity can be overwhelming!”

Ms Dunstan says the book arose from the need to provide credible, well-informed domestic violence information, and spiritual wisdom and reflection, in one place to support Christian women in this difficult journey.

“The handbook provides guidance for a survivor’s ongoing support and recovery, and assurance to a Christian woman experiencing abuse that the abuse is not her fault,” she says. “God sees her, she is

Joan Augusta Mackenzie Travelling Scholarship

Applications are invited for the Joan Augusta Mackenzie Travelling Scholarship to enable the recipient to undertake study and/or gain experience in parish work overseas, preferably in the United Kingdom. The Scholarship is usually awarded for post graduate study. The Scholarship will commence on 1 September 2023 and is for the period of study or experience. The value of the Scholarship is $30,000 each year, normally for up to three years.

Applicants must:

• be clergy of the Anglican Church of Australia who have served at least two years since ordination as a Deacon and

• have been educated in Australia and

• intend to return to Australia at the end of the scholarship period.

The Trustee, Perpetual, awards the Scholarship in consultation with the Principal of Moore College and the Rector of St Thomas’ Church, North Sydney.

Applications close at 5.00pm on 31 March 2023. For more information and application forms, please email paula.darwin@moore.edu.au a beloved child of God, and God wants her to find safety and healing.”

Ms Dunstan adds that Renew is designed to be a practical resource for churches as they walk alongside survivors. The practical chapters are supported with a link to an online resource and referral guide to help direct survivors to specific professional support they may need. This includes services in every state in Australia.

Available at https://shop. anglicare.org.au/renewsurvivors-guide/ , the book supplements a number of other resources available to parishes through the Sydney Diocese’s Safe Ministry Team: https:// knowdomesticabuse.church/

On the same topic, the

Archdeacon for Women’s Ministry, Kara Hartley, addressed the NSW Interfaith Domestic and Family Violence Declaration Forum at State Parliament in the same week as the book launch, sharing the Diocese’s response to domestic abuse issues. SC

If you are in a situation of domestic abuse you are encouraged to reach out. Help and support are available, either through your church or through Anglicare counselling on 1300 651 728.

You can also contact a domestic violence service such as 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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