Break the Silence Sunday

Last Sunday we lamented gender based violence.  Ann prepared this service and facilitated a challenging discussion, asking why dont we hear about this issue in churches in Australia? The statistics for gender based violence are shocking:

*  Intimate Partner violence is responsible for more ill-health and premature death in Victorian women under the age of 45 than any other risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity and smoking. 59% of the health impact experienced by women is anxiety and depression.

*  More than one in three women (34%) who have had an intimate partner has experienced violence from a partner or ex-partner.

*  In the Pacific two out of three women (67%) has experienced violence from a partner or ex-partner.

We heard about the UN Campaign ‘Orange the World’, which begins on November 25th and involves 16 days of activism to eliminate gender based violence.  You can find out more about this here.  Many places continue the campaign through the rest of the year by wearing orange on the 25th day of each month

Candle Lighting Liturgy we used:

We light a candle for the pain and the fear of those living with family violence, community violence and the violence of war.

May Sophia Spirit of comfort embrace them.

We light a candle for the endurance of those who continue to live their lives – caring for their children, managing their households, going to work, and looking after their parents in the midst of their fear and despair.

Sophia Spirit of courage embrace them.

We light a candle for all who work within the structure that can make a difference to those living with violence, the community workers, the police, the counsellors, the courts

Sophia Spirit of Justice strengthen them.

We light a candle for all those who shine light into dark places, family and friends, work colleagues, faith communities.

Sophia Spirit of Hope sustain them.