RESPECT: CONFRONTING VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
SUMMARY
Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse points out that the roots of domestic and family
violence “lie in the abuse of power to control and dominate others” and that “this stands in
contrast to the relationships to which God calls us”.
Our relationships should be “marked by equality and reciprocity rather than domination and
violence, respect and freedom rather than coercion and control”.
We know that most often those who suffer violence and abuse in homes and families, in
workplaces, and in communities, are women and children while the perpetrators are most
often men. We support women in calling for respect in relationships; their lives and those of
their children are sacred.
Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse focuses in a special way on the problem of
spiritual violence and abuse. It discusses how religious teachings – including our own - may
be manipulated by perpetrators to excuse violence or to exert control over others.
Cultural factors in the Church and in society often also play an important role in the violence
and abuse suffered in families, households, communities, and workplaces. This behaviour
is sinful.
We believe that respect, dignity and justice, transformation and hope are possible.
The Statement affirms the work being done by faith communities and organisations to
support those who experience domestic and family violence and abuse, and to address the
drivers and enablers of violence. It points to further ways in which we can all respond to
spiritual violence.
Finally, it calls for faith communities to support and believe those going through domestic
and family violence and abuse, to hold perpetrators to account and work towards individual
and social transformation.
Resources such as the full statement, liturgy notes, videos, and promotional
material are now available at www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au