From left: Pastor Arthur Cherrie of Winepress Assembly of God Berwick, Pastor Barry Cutchie of Berwick Church of Christ, City of Casey Promoting Peace in Families project officer Perine Fernando, Pastor Graeme Cann of Casey Pastors Network, and Pastor Phil Cayzer from Turning Point Family Church Cranbourne.FOUR Casey churches are working together to tackle family violence.
The churches will be involved in the new Promoting Peace in Families project to promote positive relationships.
The Berwick Church of Christ, The Winepress, Salvation Army Church Cranbourne and the Turning Point Family Church, in partnership with the City of Casey, the Cardinia Casey Community Health Service and the Casey Pastors network, have joined forces to ‘Say No to Family Violence’.
Current research suggests that one in five women is subject to violence in their lifetime, and it is the leading preventable contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15-44.
Research also shows that family violence is a major public health issue and can cause emotional, mental, physical and social problems for those involved.
City of Casey community care and health promotion manager Sophia Petrov said the churches would be developing programs for the community and the church that promote respectful non-violent relationships, provision of training in family violence for church leadership, church policies and procedures, and the development of an information kit.
Berwick Church of Christ Senior Pastor Barry Cutchie said the program would help the groups understand some of the problems challenging families and give practical strategies to provide real answers.
As part of the project, the churches developed a poster encouraging the community to say no to family violence, and promoted White Ribbon Day on 25 November to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
For further information contact Tracey Rodoni at the City of Casey on 9705 5200.
