The Archbishops’ Council has commended a set of guidelines for anyone with pastoral responsibility as part of the Church’s commitment to victims of domestic abuse and to addressing the circumstances that lead to such abuse.

Responding to Domestic Abuse: Guidelines for those with pastoral responsibility encourages parishes and clergy to take domestic abuse seriously and to be honest and open about its occurrence. It encourages the condemnation of domestic abuse and the support of those who suffer domestic abuse, providing introductory guidelines for adopting good practice and working in partnership with other agencies.

The aim of these guidelines is to inform, direct and equip those working at a local level that want to offer the most appropriate care and support. These include clergy, readers and pastoral assistants, as well as those who may be entrusted with their stories by victims, survivors or perpetrators.

Responding to Domestic Abuse was produced by a group set up following a motion passed by General Synod in July 2004. The motion called for national guidelines and for dioceses to consider how they could work with other agencies and ‘speak out against the evil of domestic violence’.

The complete text of Responding to Domestic Abuse can be downloaded as a PDF from the Church of England website.

To read the official press release for the Guidelines, please click here.