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Emotional abuse
UK News

Church leaders sign domestic violence declaration

by Antony Bushfield

Gathering at the House of Lords, they'll agree that attacks on partners "can never be justified by the teachings of our faith".

It will be the first time that different faith leaders have stood on the same platform to acknowledge there is a problem of domestic abuse within their own faith communities, and pledge to do something about it.

The declaration has been organised by Restored, an organisation campaigning to end violence against women.

The charity says that "if 1-in-4 women in the UK experience domestic abuse, then it must be happening in churches too" and has been endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
 
Peter Grant, Co-director, said: "Why is this declaration important? Because in all faiths in Britain right now domestic abuse is being committed unseen and unreported.

"What this declaration says to perpetrators of domestic violence is that we, as faith leaders, will not tolerate it, nor remain silent about it, but, recognising the unique and positive opportunities we have within our faith communities, will challenge abusive patterns of behaviour, whether physical, sexual, psychological or spiritual, that have become too common within our faiths and wider society."

Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, said: "Violence against women is a shocking reality that has pervaded most human cultures.

"Whether by 'turning a blind eye' or subliminal religious pressure to 'turn the other cheek' where Jesus would have confronted an evil, violence against women has been too often unchallenged by the churches.

"In the name of Christ, who repeatedly defended the dignity of women, every Christian is mandated to speak out against any form of aggression towards women and girls wherever it is found."
 
The Bishop of Guildford, Rt Revd Andrew Watson, said: "Violence against women is a human problem, not a specifically religious one.

"But faith leaders have the potential to be part of the problem or part of the solution. In launching this charter we are pledging to be part of the solution."

Abdullah Hasan, Chief Imam at Holborn Mosque, said : "There are a number of misconceptions regarding domestic abuse and religion in our society.

"It is the duty of religious teachers to provide clarity and guidance on this issue as well as repel any incorrect beliefs and perceptions people may have about this growing problem."

Listen to Premier's Antony Bushfield speaking to Peter Grant:

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