ST PAUL’S Anglican Church and the Anglican Mothers’ Union (AMUA) are supporting the global campaign for Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence from Saturday until 10 December.
The North Ipswich church is having a Red Bench installed in its grounds on Saturday at 1pm and then a minute’s silence will be held at 1.03pm to mark that 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.
Reverend Lorraine Lynch said, “I’m a child survivor of domestic violence myself. I grew up with a violent alcoholic father and had to call the police at the age of nine because he strangled my mum and she dropped to the floor. So I know first hand what it’s like to live with family domestic violence and no one does anything about it.”
AMUA has been working for the community since 1904. With a fervent social action mission, branches across the diocese reach out to the community through its various projects such as emergency relief for flood, fire and drought survivors; support for the Women’s Hostel; provision of an annual family holiday for those who cannot afford one and support for Kids at Risk.
Rev Lynch said it was important to raise awareness of domestic violence because it was vital to prevent the silent epidemic, transcending race, status, class, age or gender.
She said, “Everyone deserves to be safe, equal and respected and we are all part of the solution. We can all ‘make a stand by taking a seat’ as we discuss our personal trauma and become more aware of our neighbours hidden needs.”
Rev Lynch added, “I believe that we have a responsibility to provide extra care for those who are marginalised such as those suffering from domestic violence. Silence is violence.”
