Newsletters - Violence and the Family

Summary of Consultation Recommendations

The Church should work at all levels to break the silence on violence between couples (including rape within marriage) and violence against children, widows and the elderly. Programmes addressing violence must be directed at both sexes.
The Church must care for those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS while continuing to encourage faithfulness in marriage. It should encourage HIV testing and openness about HIV status with the use of condoms within marriage for those already affected. It should offer pastoral care and support for those infected and affected as well as discouraging stigmatisation.
High priority should be given to premarital counselling and marriage enrichment seminars. They should aim to promote mutual agreement between partners on family budgeting, family planning and the making of wills, etc.
As Christians we need to develop a more appropriate interpretation of the Bible, especially with regard to the roles of husband and wife within the home, the Church and the wider community. We also need to challenge cultural practices that dehumanise people. These include female genital mutilation, bride price and polygamy.
Men and women can only take greater control of their lives when the silence is broken on family violence and human rights. Church and civic leaders need to make this a priority.
The prophetic role of the Church should include lobbying governments and NGOs, and using existing organisations to improve legal and social systems which serve to control and reduce family violence.

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