Faith Communities and Preventing Violence against Women

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne invites you to:

Faith Communities and Preventing Violence Against Women - A Roundtable

Date: Friday 8 March 2024    Time: 10am to 1pm
Location: St Michael's North Carlton, 14 McIlwraith St, North Carlton VIC 3054

Speakers:

• Dr Arya Indrias Patras, Forman Christian College, Lahore
• Prof. Cathy Vaughan, University of Melbourne
• Kerryn Lewis & Sarah Aruliah, PVAW Team (Anglican Diocese of Melbourne)

Faith communities and faith settings are important environments where social beliefs and norms are shaped (Durkheim, 2008). Such beliefs and norms have the potential to promote violence against women and family violence or conversely to protect against violence (Flood & Pease, 2006; VicHealth, 2007).

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne comprises over 200 churches across Melbourne and Geelong, and it is home to a variety of socially and culturally diverse communities. The Diocese has had a commitment to the primary prevention of violence against women since 2011. The Preventing Violence Against Women Program (PVAW) implemented by the Diocese, is a leading initiative for preventing and responding to violence against women and family violence within an Australian faith community. The program provides a wide range of activities, training and resources for faith leaders and churches, as well as an intensive whole of church project. An evaluation conducted by the University of Melbourne in 2021 indicated that our capacity building has had a positive impact on response and prevention.

At this Round Table event, Prof. Cathy Vaughan will share what we know about the evidence base available on PVAW in faith settings. Dr Ayra Indrias Patras will share information about the church in Pakistan and its response to VAW and Diocese Program staff will give an overview of the Diocese PVAW Program and the findings so far especially in relation to Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Anglican communities. There will also be an opportunity for questions and small table discussions.

Audience: Inviting all churches and family violence sector organisation
The event will be followed by lunch and networking
Ticket fee: $20 per person | Click here to register and to download the flyer