On 25 November, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace worked with ACRATH, Jesuit Refugee Service and Small Steps 4 Hannah to provide an online workshop to advocate for the elimination of violence against women and girls, and against domestic and family violence and abuse.
The event also highlighted the Bishops Social Justice Statement 2022-23, Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse. The statement and resources needed to share the message are here: https://bit.ly/SJS22-23
WATCH below the workshop in full, or choose specific sections.
WORKSHOP IN FULL: View the full workshop through our Facebook
PRAYER: Watch the opening prayer which includes scripture, reflection, prayers of Intercession and a song, “Healed in Christ” by Sarah Hart.
BISHOP VINCENT LONG’S ADDRESS: Bishop Vincent Long addresses the domestic and family violence prevalent in our society, denounces it and the misuse of church teachings to justify violence and abuse. He also talks about the abuse people have suffered in the church and what the church needs to do to make amends.
MICHAEL JEH – SMALL STEPS 4 HANNAH: Small Steps 4 Hannah is an organisation created by the family of Hannah Clarke who was murdered along with her three children by her husband in their car in Feb 2020 in Brisbane. They have created the organisation to advocate and create change, including outlawing coercive control. Michael Jeh, Ambassador for Smalls Steps 4 Hannah and passionate advocate against family and domestic violence speaks with Director of OJEP, Peter Arndt.
CHRISTINE CAROLAN – ACRATH: Christine, Executive Officer for ACRATH tells the stories of three people or families affected by human trafficking, child marriage and indentured work. She explains what people can do to take part in the 16 Days of Advocacy Against Gendered-Violence. A link to their resources is available here: https://acrath.org.au/take-action/16-days/
SHATHA JAJO – JRS: Shatha Jajo, program manager of the JRS program working with women who are asylum seekers and are experiencing or at-risk of experiencing domestic violence speaks about the program and the events taking place during the 16 days of Advocacy against Gendered-violence.
VIDEO REFLECTION: A video reflection using the Sarah Hart song “May You Walk” as a blessing at the end of the online event.