Case Study: Hume City Council

Engaging Faith Leaders in Family Violence Prevention

Why it is important

Under the Free from Violence Program, council hosted a free training program for faith and community leaders from various faith groups in Hume.

The training recognised that faith and spiritual leaders play a key role in shaping community attitudes and behaviours, and are also often the first people victims of family violence turn to for guidance and support before or instead of mainstream services.

The program was delivered over 3 sessions where participants learnt how to support families and community to achieve healthy and fulfilling relationships and recognise and respond to conflict and risk of family violence. The training was delivered by Kulturbrille, a Melbourne-based organisation with extensive experience in using a faith-based lens to prevent family violence.

The Hume Interfaith Network were also involved in the planning of the training, with some members participating in the training.

Feedback from participants demonstrated that the program substantially increased their skills and knowledge to prevent and respond to family violence in their faith communities. Participants also recommended that the training be offered more broadly to other groups in the community.

Call to action

Family violence prevention efforts must be as diverse as the communities they are serving. Building the capacity of faith leaders enhances the supports for underserved cohorts in the community.