DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

IF YOU ARE IN DANGER CALL THE POLICE 000

Iris Women

Iris is a supportive, journaling tool for Catholic women, where you can safely record your relationship experiences.

Here you can securely document what is happening for you, for example, do you feel scared or low because of whats happening in your relationship?

As you journal, you may see that patterns of behaviour become apparent. This will help you understand what is happening.

The work you do in this app will help you talk to someone about what you are experiencing.

DOWNLOAD APP

In Australia, domestic violence is a part of many families’ lives, including some Catholic families. This is the disturbing reality across all our communities.

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, has long been committed to zero tolerance to domestic violence and strongly reiterated this on the United Nations’ International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

It’s a position emphatically stated by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis has said “Violence against women cannot be treated as ‘normal.’ He has said sometimes it is ‘morally necessary’ to leave a relationship when a spouse and their children are experiencing domestic violence.

This means attitudes that indicate domestic violence should be tolerated or kept secret within your marriage or relationships are wrong. No one deserves to live in a home where they feel threatened and unsafe.

If you are in danger

IF AN EMERGENCY:
Call the Police 000

Support with domestic violence issues:
1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)

For emergency refuge or housing assistance:
1800 152 152

What is an abusive relationship?

An abusive relationship may be one where there is physical violence, sexual violence, emotional or psychological abuse or coercive control. Sometimes control in a relationship means a woman is prevented from practising her faith. Sometimes faith is used to hurt, scare or control a woman – this is what’s known as spiritual or religious abuse.