Common Grace is running a Domestic Violence Prevention Month Webinar on Thursday 29 May, called “Crossroads: When faith and safety seem in conflict.”
Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025
Location: Online*
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm (AEST)
Hosts: Ellaina Welsman, Erica Mandi Manga, Dr Jenny Richards, Todd Darvas, and Victoria.
*The webinar will be recorded. Even if you are unable to join this Webinar on 29 May, please still register to receive this recording and learn about next steps.
About the Crossroads Webinar
For many Christian women experiencing domestic and family violence, the journey to safety is not only painful—it is spiritually complex. Women have found themselves standing at a heartbreaking crossroads, asking: Have I chosen safety at the expense of my faith? When have I chosen ‘faith’ at the expense of my safety?
These questions expose a deeply rooted tension where spiritual faithfulness is often pitted against personal safety.
In many church communities, messages—spoken or implied—suggest that staying in a relationship, even when it’s violent, is the more faithful path. The pursuit of safety is seen not as an act of faith, but as a step away from it. This false conflict leaves survivors burdened with guilt, shame, and confusion, making it harder to seek help or speak out.
As part of Domestic Violence Prevention Month, this webinar “Crossroads: When safety and safety seem in conflict” will unpack how theology, church culture, and pastoral care have contributed to this painful divide. We’ll explore what it means to stand at the crossroads of faith and safety—and how instead, we can walk a path where a faith lived well promotes safety and flourishing.
Drawing on Scripture and the life of Jesus, we will examine how chosen suffering differs from unjust violence, and how even Jesus took steps to preserve his safety at times. We’ll ask: What does it mean to follow Jesus when the suffering we face is unchosen and unjust? How can churches become places that accompany women at these crossroads with wisdom, grace, and justice?
Together, we’ll confront the harmful messages that have left women feeling trapped, and explore a faith that makes room for safety, agency, and dignity. This webinar is for anyone seeking a more compassionate and theologically grounded response to domestic and family violence—one that recognises survivors not as failures of faith, but as faithful image-bearers navigating unimaginable terrain.
This webinar is part of Common Grace’s vision for a world where every home, church and community is a place of nurture, safety, and support—and where violence against women is no more.
Do you need support?
The following Domestic and Family Violence support services are available:
- 1800 RESPECT National Helpline: 1800 737 732
- Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
- Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114
- 13 YARN (Aboriginal Mob): 13 92 76
- Emergency: 000
