The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has joined the International Campaign "16 Days Against Violence".
The All Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has expressed support for the interfaith project Stop Violence!
APPEAL
of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations
on the need to counteract domestic violence in Ukraine
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations states that there is an urgent problem of domestic violence in Ukraine, which also concerns religious communities and religious families. Violence refers to the deliberate use of physical force or power, actual or in the form of a threat, directed against oneself, against another person, group of persons or community, the result of which is bodily injury, death, psychological trauma, developmental disabilities or various kinds of damage [1].
A separate type is domestic violence, which is especially dangerous because it is committed in relation to the closest people and relatives. Churches and religious organizations are unanimous about the need to counteract domestic violence for all citizens, especially women and children, although men also often suffer from it.
It is important to recognize the existence of this problem and to develop an intention of its comprehensive prevention and counteraction. That is why we suggest paying attention to the priority next steps to overcome this problem, namely:
o theological and practical understanding of the causes of the spread of domestic violence;
o public discussion of ways of prevention and counteraction;
o emphasis on this issue in the framework of religious ministry and social practices;
o psychological and spiritual support for both victims of violence and those who commit it;
o continuation of practical work through informing, creating a shelter map, and sharing experience;
o promoting the development of national legislation.
Religious leaders of different faiths understand that today there is a need to develop the regulatory framework of Ukraine for common security and the development of a culture of nonviolent cohabitation, especially in families. On behalf of the religious communities that we represent, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations encourages the parliament and the government to develop national legislation based on the principles of common security, morality and expediency, for which we are ready to provide practical recommendations and delegate professional representatives to the interdepartmental working group if it is created.
The positions of churches and religious organizations in Ukraine have a common foundation, namely, the understanding that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and has the right to life from the moment of his conception to the moment of natural death. Therefore, the life and dignity of a human person is an unshakable value that must be protected at the highest legislative level.
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations recognizes that health is a precious gift from God for every person, and we must all take responsible care to preserve it. We see our role in countering domestic violence in educating people, preventing them, raising children and young people, and providing care to those in need [2]. That is why we invite both representatives of the state and just concerned citizens to join our Stop Violence! Initiative (family.org.ua) to help fight a new epidemic of violence together.
1 As defined by the World Health Organization.
2 Resolution "Community mobilization against domestic violence and gender-based violence" dated March 29, 2019