Call for churches to stand up against domestic violence

Transcript

Churches across the Pacific are being challenged to do more to help address the high rates of violence against women.

'Christianity and Development between New Zealand and the Pacific' was a theme at a recent Victoria University conference.

Among some of the issues considered were increasing rates of domestic violence and whether religion is being used as an excuse by the perpetrators. 

Jamie Tahana reports

Nearly half of Samoan women experience physical and sexual violence and Dr Mercy Ah Siu-Maliko says this tells a story about the reality of Samoa society.  Otago University's Ah Siu-Maliko says Christianity can play a significant role in the unmasking of domestic violence in Oceania.

AH SIU-MALIKO:  It's a concern that must be addressed within the churches because the churches occupy a very high position in Samoan society and that has been carried over to New Zealand societies and if we want to combat the issue of domestic violence, the church society needs to work together.

Dr Ah Siu-Maliko says domestic violence undermines human relationships and negatively impacts the lives of many women and children.  Maxon Mani is from Yangoru, East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea, and completing his PhD at Otago University.  He has worked with a number of church groups in PNG and believes more men need to speak about domestic violence in PNG.

MAXON MANI:  Because traditionally women are not listened to and so that's why I still think that men should rise up and talk about what's happening because that will help men listen.

Mr Mani says the church can be a transformative agent in the fight against violence.  Cliff Bird is the regional coordinator for UnitingWorld's Pacific office in Fiji. The agency engages in developmental work, including gender equality, ending domestic violence and the protection and care of children.

CLIFF BIRD:  And when you look at the statistics for domestic violence it ranges from 30 something up to 88 [percent], what that tells us for those of us, you can interpret the statistics, that a lot of the violence is happening in the churches, and this that not many churches would like to admit.

But Mr Bird some churches do confront the issue head on.

CLIFF BIRD:  Like the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, they have stated in the public, in the media that there is of domestic violence in the church and they are actually engaging with that and as far as I know, the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia is one of those that have come out openly, I have to see other churches following that step and saying yes, it's an issue in the church.

One volunteer at the conference, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says in the past, churches have encouraged women back into abusive environments.  Cliff Bird says the churches have to take a lead in addressing such issues because usually they have a wider network, especially in rural places where the government presence is often not very strong.