On Thursday 2 December at 5.10pm, St Paul’s Cathedral will hold a Service of Lament for Women & all Victims of Intimate Partner Violence. The service will be an opportunity for us to lament past acts of domestic violence and commit ourselves anew to working for the protection and empowerment of women and children.
The service builds on the work of the National Anglican Church’s Family Violence Working Group and the development Ten Commitments for Prevention and Response to Domestic and Family Violence which were endorsed by General Synod Standing Committee earlier this year.
The Reverend Tracy Lauersen, Convenor of the Family Violence Working Group, will preach and lead the service alongside members the working group. The service will also be livestreamed on the Cathedral’s website & social media channels.
The timing of the service is during the 16 Days of Activism, which is a global campaign that commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. Similar services will be held in Anglican Dioceses across Australia around the same time.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about the problem of gender-based violence, and highlight the positive role that we can play in preventing violence and building better communities.
During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world will unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good. You can find more information about the campaign here: https://www.anglicancommunion.org/mission/gender-justice.aspx
Where to get help
If you would like to speak to someone about family violence or sexual assault, you can contact 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and information referral service, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year).
If you are in immediate danger, please call for the police or an ambulance on 000.
Further Information
- Melbourne Anglican Diocese Prevention of Violence Against Women Program
https://www.melbourneanglican.org.au/pvaw/ - Family Violence Working Group of General Synod
https://anglican.org.au/our-work/family-violence/