CSRM working paper, No.1/2020

Settings based approaches are recognised as essential to preventing and addressing FDV (Flood 2007). Attention to how these issues may uniquely play out across contexts and populations such as in different workplaces and professions, sports clubs, schools, rural and regional areas, and ethnic and migrant groups is now best practice.

However to date there has been very limited attention across research, policy or practice on FDV within faith based settings and on attitudes, beliefs and responses to FDV among faith leaders and communities in Australia or globally. Given that faith and religion plays a central role in the lives of many individuals and communities it is imperative that this under-addressed issue be given attention. An increased understanding of the attitudes of individuals, families and leaders within faith-based communities is critically needed to inform future best-practice approaches to prevention, early intervention and responses to FDV within these communities.

This report outlines the findings from a consultation project commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. The project is led by researchers from the Australian National University. There is considerable religious and cultural heterogeneity across families, communities and within faiths in Australia with over 40 religions and over 300 cultural backgrounds identified with many forms of religious and faith expressions and beliefs. As such this project focuses on some communities and is not intended to be representative of all faith and religious groups, or to be representative of all those who practice faiths included in this study. (From the authors' abstract). Record #6862