In every community, including our churches, there will be people who are experiencing violence and others who choose to use it. But most of all, there are those of us who witness each other’s lives. We are bystanders to each other’s lives and to the life of our church community as a whole. We see, we hear, we notice. And when something doesn’t seem right, we have the opportunity to choose a response that brings care and safety.
Being a community that cares is about each of us being alert to signs that something may be wrong and, when it’s safe to do so, taking action that supports, protects, or prevents harm.
Set up a USER ID on our learning portal and check out our course here
The course draws on the best available evidence about what helps individuals in our communities respond safely and prevent violence before it occurs. It offers a faith-based framework for noticing what is not right, and any social drivers that can lead to violence, choosing to act, and caring well for those affected.
Delivered through six short, interactive video modules, the course combines teaching, reflection, and real-life scenarios drawn from church contexts. It can be completed individually online, facilitated in person to groups and undertaken by small groups/bible study groups, giving dioceses and parishes flexibility in how they engage with the program.
17 March Webinar
Understanding Trauma Responses: Pastoral Care of DFV Survivors in Church Communities.
In pastoral ministry, survivors of domestic and family violence often present in very different ways. There are various trauma-coping schemas survivors may adopt, and these influence trust, disclosure, faith, and engagement with church life. Designed for Anglican clergy and pastoral workers, this webinar helps participants understand the schemas survivors may enlist and how these shape their needs from the church. Participants will learn practical, theologically grounded ways to respond to foster agency, safety and long-term recovery. Learn how to walk alongside survivors with greater confidence and pastoral sensitivity as they journey toward recovery.
The guest presenter for this webinar is Ruth Holt, Clinical Psychologist. Ruth practices in Canberra, and is a former member of our Anglican Families & Culture Commission. We asked Ruth to present on this topic last year for some of our Domestic Violence practitioners and realised how valuable this workshop would be for clergy and pastoral workers.
The Webinar will run for 90 minutes. Feel free to bring your lunch to this virtual webinar.
Webinar Details: Understanding Trauma Responses: Pastoral Care of DFV Survivors in Church Communities.
Date: 17 March 2026 12.30-2.00pm (Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne time). Please check your local time for this event.
Venue: Online via MSTeams (link wil be sent 48 hours prior to the event)
Cost: Free
Webinar is for Anglican clergy and pastoral staff.
Contact Us: For more information, please contact us at fcc@anglican.org.au