All people, being made in the image of God, are designed to live in healthy, loving relationships with each other. In God’s good design, our homes and communities are intended as places of nurture, where relationships are shaped by equality, respect, and dignity - where every person can flourish.
In too many places across our nation, the reality is far from this vision.
Domestic and family violence shatters God’s vision for our relationships. Where God intends love, trust, and mutual care, violence brings fear, control, and harm. Instead of equality, it imposes domination. Instead of dignity, it strips away worth. Instead of safety, it creates danger in the very places that should be most secure.
In Australia, 1 in 4 women since the age of 15 has experienced physical or sexual violence. Australia’s unacceptably high rates of domestic and family violence are prevalent across every part of society—including churches.
In churches where victim-survivors have not been believed, perpetrators have been protected, or harmful interpretations of Scripture have been used to justify coercion and control, we have failed to provide safety.
By ignoring or denying violence, we deny the very heart of the gospel; we deny God's call for us to bring safety and protection, to be peacemakers, and to nurture and honour one another as beloved children of God.
Our Response
Jesus always protects the vulnerable, confronts injustice, and embodies love and respect. We want to follow the example of Jesus: our model for equal, loving, and mutual human relationships.
Guided by the love of Jesus, we work to call and equip Christians and faith communities to:
- Recognise and prevent violence,
- Support victim-survivors,
- Call people who use violence to take responsibility for their actions, and
- Cultivate communities grounded in dignity, equality, and love.
Common Grace’s response to domestic and family justice involves
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Equipping the Church with resources like SAFER, so faith communities can be safe, informed, and compassionate.
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Amplifying Survivor Voices by listening to and centering the lived experiences of those impacted by violence.
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Raising Awareness and Advocate during moments like the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
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Praying that all our work is done in the way of Jesus who restores, heals, and redeems.
Join the Movement
We are called to be people of healthy relationships who reflect God’s love through equality, respect, and mutual care. Together, we must challenge harmful gender norms, speak out against violence, and reshape culture so that abuse is no longer tolerated.
May we build churches and communities that are truly safe; places where survivors are believed, the vulnerable are protected, and every person is valued as a beloved image-bearer of God.
Take Action
