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Presbyterians take action against family violence

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is adding its voice to the national campaign calling for action on family violence.

“We believe that nurturing and supporting families is the best way to improve the health of our society,” says the Moderator, the Right Rev Pamela Tankersley. 

Condemning the country’s deplorable record of violence against women and children, she says that it’s important for individuals and organisations to put some action behind their good intentions. 

“Every time we hear the latest report of another child killed by a relative we all sigh and say ‘enough is enough’, but simply sighing and moving on it isn’t good enough - we actually need to do something about it. 

“It’s time to stop the rhetoric.  Let’s start by asking ourselves the hard questions: Who’s created the society where people learn behaviour that’s destructive to relationships and families? We need to look at ourselves. What positive things are we as individuals doing to help young people and families?”

Congregations around the country provide services like formal early childhood education programmes, after school programmes and fellowship gatherings for children and families.

“All of these initiatives are aimed at supporting parents and families, but, along with the rest of the community, the Church needs to do more to put an end to family violence,” says Mrs Tankersley.

She confirmed that the Presbyterian Church would be involved in meeting of Christian leaders later this week who are gathering to discuss family violence.  On the agenda is the role that churches can play in developing practical solutions to family dysfunction and child abuse.  The forum is being held in Auckland on Thursday 6 September.

The Presbyterian Church is also planning a comprehensive resource that will encourage congregations to reflect on the issues associated with family violence, explains Mrs Tankersley.

“It’ll be a practical resource that calls our 400-odd congregations around the country to take action in their own communities, to take action as individuals, and to take personal responsibility for making a difference.”

Presbyterians have a long history – through our social service arm, Presbyterian Support – of working with the marginalised, and this call to take action against family violence is part of the Church’s continued efforts to serve New Zealand communities.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Pamela Tankersley contact Presbyterian Church Communications Manager Amanda Wells on 027 535 3020.