Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining more than 30 leaders and representatives from Baptist ministries and agencies across Australia as part of the Converge advocacy delegation in Canberra. Together, we met with Federal Members of Parliament and Senators to advocate for stronger action to address one of Australia’s most significant social challenges: domestic and family violence, particularly violence against women and children.
The experience was both encouraging and sobering.
Encouraging because there was genuine engagement from elected representatives across the political spectrum who recognised the seriousness of this issue and the need for ongoing action. Sobering because the reality of domestic and family violence continues to impact individuals, families and communities every day. With one in four women experiencing violence from someone that they are in an intimate relationship with.
As Baptists, our advocacy is grounded in the conviction that every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity and worth. There is no place for violence, coercion, control or abuse in any relationship. Women, children and all people deserve to be safe, respected and valued.
Across Australia, Baptist agencies and churches support thousands of people affected by domestic and family violence through specialist services, trauma-informed care, crisis support and men’s behaviour change programs. We witness both the devastation caused by violence and the possibility of healing, recovery and transformation.
Our conversations in Parliament focused on the reality that Australia already has a clear pathway forward. Governments have committed to ending gender-based violence within a generation, but meaningful progress requires sustained leadership, adequate investment and strong community partnerships.
We encouraged parliamentarians to keep domestic and family violence on the national agenda.
Importantly, this work extends beyond Federal Parliament. It also involves equipping our churches and ministry leaders to recognise, respond to and help prevent domestic and family violence within our communities. One practical resource available to Queensland Baptist churches is the Safer Spaces Toolkit (https://saferspacestoolkit.com.au), which provides guidance, training and practical tools to help create healthier and safer church communities.
As Queensland Baptists, we all have a role to play through local ministry, community services, advocacy and prayer. Together, we can help ensure every person is treated with dignity, respect and safety, and that our churches become places where the love, justice and compassion of Christ are experienced by all.
Stewart Pieper (DoCS)
