We stand against domestic ABUSE
We recognise that this side of heaven, relationships will never be perfect, and tragically this can lead to domestic abuse. This can happen in any culture and life circumstance, including churches.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour based on using power and control over another, causing fear and intimidation. Domestic abuse may include (but is not limited to):
At Church@thepeak, we affirm that domestic abuse is contrary to the biblical pattern of mutual love and care of each other in marriage, anchored in the example of the Lord Jesus. It is contrary to God’s intention for human relationships in his world. And it is contrary to God’s vision for the safety of all people in our community.
We are part of a fellowship of churches (the Anglican Diocese of Sydney) who together have expressed a resolve to oppose all forms of domestic abuse. The Church@thepeak Parish Council and staff team have adopted the Sydney Anglican policy on responding to domestic abuse, which can be summarised as follows:
If you are experiencing abuse by a family member or partner, think you may be, or are concerned for someone you know, please contact our Senior Pastor, Stuart Maze (0432 324-023).
Alternatively, you can contact:
Police (000)
24/7 in emergencies where safety is at risk.
Hurstville Police Station (9375 8599)
Hurstville police have a domestic violence unit.
St George Family Support Services (sgfss.org.au)
including domestic violence counselling.
1800 Respect National Helpline (1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au)
24/7 for sexual assault and domestic violence counselling and advice.
Child Protection Helpline (132 111)
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse.
Lifeline (131 114 or lifeline.org.au/get-help)
24/7 telephone crisis line.
Professional Standards Unit (9265 1604 or safeministry.org.au)
For advice about abuse involving Anglican clergy or church staff.
Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour based on using power and control over another, causing fear and intimidation. Domestic abuse may include (but is not limited to):
- Financial abuse: controls your access to finances, punishes you for spending, or provides money with 'strings attached'
- Spiritual abuse: criticises your faith or culture, forces you to act against your beliefs, uses Scripture to control you, and cuts you off from your church family
- Social isolation: cuts you off from family, friends or faith community
- Verbal abuse: criticises, belittles, and blames you
- Emotional abuse: manipulates and threatens you; causes you to live in fear and doubt yourself and your view of reality
- Psychological abuse: threats to harm you, or your children, family members or pets, threats to spread negative information about you, or threats to kill you
- Physical abuse: hits, punches, chokes and assaults you, damages property, harms your children or pets
- Sexual abuse: forces you to do sexual acts without your consent, controls decisions about reproduction
- Harassment: comes to your workplace uninvited, shows up at places unexpectedly, follows you
- Image based abuse: shares intimate images to humiliate and embarrass you
- Technology abuse: using technology to monitor you; constantly text or call to harass you, stalks you online or posts abusive messages
At Church@thepeak, we affirm that domestic abuse is contrary to the biblical pattern of mutual love and care of each other in marriage, anchored in the example of the Lord Jesus. It is contrary to God’s intention for human relationships in his world. And it is contrary to God’s vision for the safety of all people in our community.
We are part of a fellowship of churches (the Anglican Diocese of Sydney) who together have expressed a resolve to oppose all forms of domestic abuse. The Church@thepeak Parish Council and staff team have adopted the Sydney Anglican policy on responding to domestic abuse, which can be summarised as follows:
- We acknowledge domestic abuse exists, is wrong and must stop
- We are committed to safe places
- Domestic abuse requires a serious and realistic response
- We respect and listen to people who come to us for help
- We uphold scripture and its abhorrence of abuse in our words and public statements
- We ensure safety first
- We offer support to those in our care
If you are experiencing abuse by a family member or partner, think you may be, or are concerned for someone you know, please contact our Senior Pastor, Stuart Maze (0432 324-023).
Alternatively, you can contact:
Police (000)
24/7 in emergencies where safety is at risk.
Hurstville Police Station (9375 8599)
Hurstville police have a domestic violence unit.
St George Family Support Services (sgfss.org.au)
including domestic violence counselling.
1800 Respect National Helpline (1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au)
24/7 for sexual assault and domestic violence counselling and advice.
Child Protection Helpline (132 111)
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse.
Lifeline (131 114 or lifeline.org.au/get-help)
24/7 telephone crisis line.
Professional Standards Unit (9265 1604 or safeministry.org.au)
For advice about abuse involving Anglican clergy or church staff.