Youth Rezolutions, a project of Saints Care Ltd and Catholic Care Social Services, have partnered with other service providers in western Sydney to bring awareness to the support available to people affected by domestic violence.
These services are life-changing; providing meaningful, practical and compassionate assistance.
Read more here and find out about the programs offered by Youth Rez, or watch the video associated with the ‘Hills Says No to Domestic Violence’ campaign, including people sharing their positive stories from engaging with these services, below.
Today also marks the first of a 16 day campaign #thepurplebenchroject, an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women. You can show your support in the following ways:
By wearing a white ribbon during the 16-day period: a white ribbon is a symbol of peace and symbolises the commitment of the wearer to never commit or condone violence against women and children.
By speaking out against woman and child abuse. Encourage silent female victims to talk about abuse and ensure that they get help. Report child abuse to the police. Encourage children to report bully behaviour to school authorities. Men and boys are encouraged to talk about abuse and actively discourage abusive behaviour.
Seeking help if you are emotionally, physically or sexually abusive to your partner and/or children.
Talking to friends, relatives and colleagues to take a stand against abuse of women and children.
Try and understand how your own attitudes and actions might perpetuate sexism and violence.
We are challenged toward action to bring about peace in our communities:
“God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare”
Section 163: 4a of Doctrine and Covenants
In response to this challenge and to the statistics that speak to the all-to-common experience of familial violence, a motion was brought by the Australia Mission to the 2019 World Conference, and, in a vote of 1069 to 207, it was
Resolved, That
1. The 2019 World Conference express its solidarity with and show active support for those organizations and community groups that currently aim to eradicate familial and domestic violence wherever it occurs.
2. Congregations world-wide be called upon anew to prioritize with urgency the admonitions found in WCR 1195, 1235, 1250 and 1276.
3. The conference requests that the First Presidency develop or make available culturally appropriate study materials regarding domestic and sexual violence and abuse with the intent that such material will become part of the required course curriculum for all current priesthood members and candidates for priesthood office.
The hope is that “this resolution will renew and strengthen us all to tell the world anew that our church condemns violence in any setting, but in particular in the home, and, in particular, sexual violence wherever it occurs”, Malcolm Stephenson & Rick Sarre ‘World Conference 2019 Domestic Violence Legislation’, pg. 20-21, Australia Herald August 2019
(For more background to this motion, read the full article, from the Australia Herald, Aug. 2019)
If you or anyone who know is a victim of Domestic Violence, seek help by calling the Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63)