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When it comes to raising the next generation, conversations about respect, consent, equitable and healthy relationships, and challenging the rigid gender norms that underpin violence against women are more important than ever. Image: Getty BY FAMILY VIOLENCE EXPERTS KATE FYLAN, HANNA SALTIS, SONIA LE FEVRE AND BETHANY ADAMS The primary prevention of violence against women focuses on stopping violence against women from occurring in the first place by addressing its underlying drivers . Global evidence consistently demonstrates that levels of men’s violence against women are significantly and consistently higher in societies, communities and relationships where there is more rigid gender-stereotyping, and where dominant forms of masculinities are rigidly adhered to. When it comes to raising the next generation, conversations about respect, consent, equitable and healthy relationships, and challenging the rigid gender norms that underpin violence against women are more important than ever. This ‘Ask the Expert’ article explores how parents, educators and the community can foster empathy, promote gender equality, and redefine masculinity to create safer, more respectful environments in families, schools, workplaces and society as a whole.   Interview with Hanna Saltis: Q: I’m a parent and I’m worried I might be accidentally reinforcing gender stereotypes at home. How can I do better?   A: You are not alone! From the toys children play with to the language we use every day, we are surrounded by gender stereotypes. We know kids develop an understanding of gendered expectations and norms very early on, around the age of three or four, so what they hear and see at home matters a lot. Try to focus on your child’s interests, not their gender. If your daughter wants to play soccer or football, cheer her on! If your son wants to wear something sparkly, tell him how great he looks. Give the same types of compliments to kids of all genders –compliment everyone (not just girls) on their appearance, praise boys and girls on their athletic abilities or interests, thank both girls and boys for helping with chores, etc. It might feel awkward at first, but those little swaps make a big difference in how kids see themselves. Remember, no one gets it perfect! If you say something and realise later it wasn’t helpful, go back and correct yourself. Tell your kid, “Hey, what I said earlier wasn’t right, you can play soccer if you want to”. That models what it looks like to make mistakes, learn and grow, which is also a powerful lesson.   Q: My partner and I naturally fall into quite traditional roles – I cook and do laundry and he does the garden. It’s just what is easy. Does that make us bad role models for our kids? A: No! What matters most is the why . Are you doing those jobs because that is what is expected of you or because it’s a strength or you enjoy them? Having open conversations about how you divide up the housework, and letting your kids see that, is a great way to show that roles can be flexible. If you like cooking and he likes mowing the lawn, that’s totally fine! You could try swapping now and then or participating in the activity together. It keeps things equal and teaches kids it’s just work , not ‘men’s’ or ‘women’s’ work.   Q: I’ve heard on a few parenting podcasts about the importance of teaching my kids about consent and personal boundaries, but I’m scared. They feel too young to learn about those things and I want to preserve their innocence as best I can. How do I even start? A: Great question, and it’s one that comes up all the time! When we talk about consent with young children, it’s not about sex. It’s about body autonomy, personal boundaries and protective behaviours. The focus is on teaching them that they get to make choices about their own bodies and respect others’ choices too. There are a few simple things parents can do: ·       Use real body words.  Normalise the vocabulary of their own body – use the correct body part names such as penis or vulva. ·       Help them tune into their feelings.  Ask, ‘How do you know when you feel scared or stressed? Where do you feel it in your body?’. Kids know what is happening in their bodies and this activity helps them to recognise early warning signs if someone makes them uncomfortable. Explain to them that if someone does something to you or you feel these feelings, you can come and tell me. It can also be helpful to identify some safe people for when you’re not there. Remind them it can’t be a pet or a toy, but it can be another family member or friend, a teacher, an older sibling, or a neighbour. ·       Respect their ‘no’.  If your child doesn’t want to hug grandma, that’s ok. You can say, ‘Would you like to wave or fist bump instead?’. It’s a small act that teaches boundaries in a safe, loving way. Consent does not negate parental guidance. Healthy relationships education is about equipping children with the skills to stay safe, speak up and understand consent in a healthy, age-appropriate way. Interview with Kate Fylan: Q: It feels impossible to protect my kids from toxic stuff online – influencers, porn sexist memes. How do I even start that conversation without dying of awkwardness? A: You’ve got to get uncomfortable to be comfortable. It’s awkward but avoiding it doesn’t make it go away. Kids are exposed earlier than we think, and if we don’t explain what it is, they’ll learn from it. Consider how your reaction may help or hinder the conversation. Start by checking in with yourself first. Take a breath, regulate and decide what tone you want to set. I find coming in hot makes them shut down but if you come in curious, “Hey, I saw something online today and wondered what you think about it?”, they’re much more likely to engage. We have to talk about porn! Not only does it pose risk for non-consensual sex and strangulation, but it also distorts how young people think about their bodies, sex and consent. It’s important to explain that porn is not real and it’s acted. It’s like Jurassic Park. That’s not a real dinosaur; it’s been made to look like that. Porn is the same, it’s dramatised to sell. With influencers, I try and find ones that are impacting positive views of self, girls and being a boy! These are often harder to find as the more harmful influencers get more airtime. We have to show boys what we want them to be by giving them access to influencers/other men and boys that share safe and positive content and behaviours.   Q: I want to raise my son to be kind and respectful of women, but I’m already hearing concerning things amongst his peers and from some of the adults at footy too. How do I challenge that without embarrassing him? A: This is a common one, and I get it! You want to step in, but you also don’t want to make them feel singled out. The truth is, you can’t control everything he hears, but you can  shape how he processes it. Start by noticing what comes up and choosing your moment. If something happens in the moment and you need to say something, keep it simple, “Hey, that’s not OK.” Have a deeper conversation later, when it’s just the two of you. That’s when you can say, “It really hurt my heart when you said that” or “How do you think that made someone feel?” It’s about calling them in, not calling them out. Bringing them on a journey without shaming them. Most boys don’t want to hurt you. They just need you to help them see it. If you’re noticing that culture showing up in their sphere of influence, keep connecting. I look for windows into their world, opportunities to text them, check in, ask about their friendships and understand what they’re seeing. You can’t control it all, but you can stay close. And remember, it’s not just the big things. Even small everyday stuff, like who drives the car or who cooks dinner, shapes how kids see women. Talk about those patterns, laugh about them, call them out gently as a family. Equality doesn’t have to be a lecture; it can be a conversation over dinner, or a joke in the car.   Interview with Sonia Le Fevre: Q: My partner and I have just fallen pregnant with our first child. They say parenting doesn’t come with a manual, I wish it did. There’s so much information out there I don’t even know where to begin … help! A: Congratulations! Firstly, you’re doing great just by thinking about this stuff. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, you basically learn on the job, but one of the best tools you can have is self-awareness. Think about what you loved or hated about how you were raised, not to blame your folks, but to understand why you do what you do. This might help you think about the kind of parent you want to be. It could also be helpful to enrol in a parenting class. Can we flip the script on parenting classes already? Parenting classes are about proactive parenting not deficits or failure. We go to gym classes, we research which car to buy, we read reviews for a toaster… but we wing it with raising humans. A parenting class can be a great space to reflect on the type of parent you want to be and unpack “how do we want to do this?” together. Remember, parenting isn’t about perfection but reflection and self-awareness is a great start.   Q: I’ve got two teenage boys who don’t engage with me for more than 5 seconds. How am I supposed to talk to them about gender equality, healthy relationships and respect? A: I can relate to that! I look for opportunities as they pop up. So, instead of serious conversations, I drop in little comments as they arise. One thing I like to do is talk to the television. It will be minimal, but it might be “Oh, I am getting that feeling in my waters about that guy” or “he looks a bit dodgy”, I try to teach through what I model, not what I preach. Keep it light and conversational. My goal isn’t to lecture but spark thinking.   Interview with Bethany Adams: Q: My son is 14 and just started going to parties. How do I ensure he and his friends are being safe and respectful without being ‘that mum’? A: My eldest is 17 and has also started going to parties. I try and be direct with my kids, but I also use humour, movies or even Instagram reels to get messages across. For example, when my kids are going to a party, I’ll say, ‘Don’t add to the population, do not subtract from the population, and don’t get in anybody’s car, even if it looks cool, and look out for your friends.’  They’ll all roll their eyes and go, ‘Yeah Mum’  , but they know what I mean. I promise you, they do  hear you, even when they roll their eyes. When my kids were younger, I did call the parents of the party, but now they are getting older, I tell my son before he leaves,  “I trust you. I know you will make good choices, and you will look out for those around you”.  I also talk openly about consent. I let my son and his friends know before they leave, “Drunk does not = consent, tipsy does not = consent, persuaded or convinced does not = consent. If you see someone looking uncomfortable, it’s ok to step in”. Kids are bombarded with mixed messages every day, and you’re the quiet, steady counterbalance. I say all the time: Aim for 40 per cent.  If you can model good boundaries, call out the dodgy stuff when you see it, and show them kindness, you’re doing beautifully. Parenting isn’t perfection. It’s persistence.   Q: After living through family violence myself, I want to teach my kids about healthy relationships. I want to break the cycle for my family, but I don’t know what I don’t know. It’s hard to know where to begin. A: It’s an ongoing recovery and healing journey. It’s not a bus stop destination, it’s lifelong but there is support out there to equip you with the tools and resources you might need. As someone who has also lived through family violence, I have the task to rewrite some past learnings for my children, and that’s really difficult. But I do it by having those conversations and modelling it. Model healthy relationships, point them out, surround them with healthy role models where possible. I think when we have boundaries ourselves, strong boundaries, and we can explain to our children why they’re important, that’s powerful. I’ll say, ‘I wish someone had taught me that when I was younger, so I’m teaching it to you now.’ I find the small opportunities day-to-day. When I see something in a movie or in advertising. I’ll say to my daughters, ‘That girl is really trying to change herself to earn the affections of that boy, that’s not what love looks like’. I tell them, ‘Don’t ever dim your light for anybody. If someone doesn’t like you as you are, that’s your answer, that’s not the right person for you. But don’t ever start carving off pieces of your gorgeous selves to fit someone else’s story”. I teach my kids that you can be in a relationship with somebody and still be your own person. You can still be independent, have your own dreams, bank accounts, property. You can build alongside each other, that’s ok. It doesn’t mean you don’t love that person, it just means you’re there because you want to be, not because you have to be. I am not a sit-down-and-have-a-formal-talk-person so having general conversations regularly as they come up is probably the best way and that’s what I would recommend. By staying attuned to ourselves and our children and strengthening our toolkits, we can share the new information we learn and use it to break generational cycles of violence amongst families and communities. We don’t succeed at parenting; we learn parenting as we go and never stop. As I say, aim for 40 per cent, make it achievable and forgive yourself and try again tomorrow if you don’t get it quite right.   Hanna Saltis – They/Them Hanna has been a Research Officer with the Curtin University Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Project since 2020. They are passionate about all things RSE but have a particular interest in the diversity and inclusion space. Kate Fylan – She/Her Kate is an experienced Salvation Army Domestic Family Violence and Children’s Services practitioner with 24 years’ experience working in the sector in Ireland and Australia, and is the State Manager for the Family Violence Team in NSW/ACT. Kate has unique experience of working with both adults and children as victim-survivors of gender-based violence and working with men who choose to perpetrate this violence.   Sonia Le Fevre – She/Her Sonia has been working with The Salvation Army's Karinya Support Services in Ballarat, Victoria for a decade. As the Team Leader of Supported Housing for Families, Sonia leads a number of diverse programs and activities for women and children who are experiencing family violence and/or homelessness.   Bethany Adams – She/Her Bethany Adams is a Specialist Family Violence Practice Lead for The Salvation Army’s Bayside Peninsula Area in Victoria. She has been member of the Victim-Survivor Advisory Council for three years as a lived experience advisor to government on family violence reform and works with Safe and Equal, Police and judicial systems to create more trauma-informed approaches to process and practice.

Orana Salvos Youth and Kids worship night. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Earlier this year, Dubbo Corps Officers Captains Andrea and Daniel Wayman felt inspired to overhaul the structure of their children and youth programs.   Their plan was to invest more heavily in discipleship pathways for their young people and also create a space that might attract young people from outside the corps.   Instead of running Junior Soldiers one afternoon a week and Youth Group on another afternoon, they combined the two groups on one afternoon and rebranded it as ‘Orana Salvos Youth and Kids’. (Dubbo is part of the Orana Region in NSW Central West). Captains Daniel and Andrea Wayman. They started running a monthly rotation of programs. Every second week of the month, it’s ‘learn and grow’, where kids are divided into younger and older age groups: the younger group does Junior Soldiers, while the older group participates in a Bible study. Within the month, they also have a fun and games session, where kids often invite their friends who don’t attend the corps. In the other week of the month, they hold a ‘praise and worship’ week, where each of the young people is learning an instrument in the band.   “The theory behind it is the future of the corps,” says Andrea.   “Most of our kids who come during the week come on Sundays as well, and we are hoping to inspire them [to want to join the corps’ worship arts team]. We are also within that night, teaching them about worship and about praise and worship and the purpose behind it, and just really enjoying it.”   While none of the children or young people have transitioned into the corps worship group yet, it’s only a matter of time before Andrea and Daniel say they will happily step away from their roles in the worship team and nurture new members. Orana Salvos Youth and Kids take part in the corps’ Sunday service.  For the first six months, Orana Salvos Youth and Kids focused on one song, the contemporary version of The House of the Lord, which the children and young people then led worship with during a Sunday meeting.   “The corps loved it!” says Andrea. “And the kids loved it too, which was really what we were after.   “We said, ‘It’s not about perfection, it’s about coming from the right heart.’ We want you to enjoy it and do it from the heart of worship.” Fun activities at the Orana Salvos Youth and Kids afternoon program at Dubbo Corps. Dubbo Corps has a diverse mix of generations who worship there every Sunday. The updates to the children and youth programs aimed to make them more connected with the corps overall, rather than just separate ‘events’ or ‘programs’.    “We wanted to give our children and young people more ownership,” said Daniel, about the way the new format is intentional about discipleship, and the teaching of an instrument – even if it’s a simple percussion instrument – gives every child and young person involved the ability to become an active part of the corps.   It’s an ethos they carry into every ministry at the corps, intentionally identifying and developing leaders as part of a discipleship journey.    Christmas connection One family who has benefited is the Yeos. Leanne, her partner, and Leanne’s three kids first connected with Dubbo Salvos two years ago when they applied for a Christmas hamper. They gradually became more involved with the corps, regularly attending church on Sundays and the kids enjoying being part of Orana Salvos Youth and Kids.   The change within their family has been significant. “It’s turned everything around,” said mum, Leanne. “We are more connected. Our family ... we talk a bit more. Before, we used to always be on our phones. We would always be cranky and upset and really aggressive towards one another,” she said.   “Being with the Salvos and the kids and youth group, they [the kids] have settled down a lot. They don’t swear, they are happier and cheerful, they learn different songs, and they want to come home and listen to Christian songs.” Sixteen-year-old Sophie from Orana Salvos Youth and Kids volunteers on the sound-desk at the Sunday service. With her home much more peaceful, Leanne began connecting more with the Dubbo Salvos during the week. Now, she volunteers in the kitchen helping to prepare the community meal on Tuesdays and Fridays and says she has made beautiful friendships. She has also started volunteering at the Dubbo Salvos Store.   “The church is basically like my family. I had a rough upbringing, so it’s good to have people that you can trust and talk to.” Her 16-year-old daughter Sophie wanted an opportunity to serve at church and has enjoyed learning the sound desk. “I like learning,” she said, with Leanne adding that another volunteer sits with Sophie to train her and help build her confidence.   Andrea and Daniel are excited to see how God has been growing and shaping their corps family this year.   “Our focus this year has not been growth in numbers but growth in the kids that attend,” said Andrea.   Keep Dubbo Salvation Army in your prayers as God continues to build his Kingdom through his faithful people in that place.

Volunteer barista Rob Adami with the new coffee set-up. Image: Supplied. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE  The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) in South Australia has recently rolled out a new response vehicle equipped with a coffee machine.  The set-up, which is located on a harness system in the rear of a Hilux utility, has been in operation for about six weeks. Over that time, SAES teams have used it about once a week, with coffee-loving volunteers Rob Adami and John Briggs primarily serving as baristas.   SA Response Coordinator Reno Elms said he saw the coffee machine as a “God thing”. He said the team talked about how they wanted to be able to serve a “nice coffee” to Country Fire Service volunteers, and also those in isolated areas when there was an incident. Reno said the difficulty with the larger trucks was that truck drivers were required, and the places they could be driven were limited.  “We’ve wanted to build up our volunteers [and] we’ve wanted to rebuild a relationship with the CFS,” he said. “There was a little bit of money available to get a coffee machine. Then there was a storm a few years ago up in the Adelaide Hills and we thought, wouldn’t it be good if we could take something hot [like coffee] up there.”   “That’s where the idea [came from].”   He said that through the generosity of Woolworths, the team was able to purchase two coffee machines, and with the team able to recently obtain a new Hilux, the plan was put in motion. It was also a way to keep involving volunteers in the work of the SAES throughout the year.  “It’s one part of our strategy to engage our volunteers other than in the high-risk weather [seasons],” Reno said.   The SAES volunteers and coffee vehicle with the Dalkeith CFS team. Image: Dalkeith Country Fire Service Facebook page So far, the coffee vehicle has been used in Port Lincoln, Eudunda, Dalkeith, Concordia and Salisbury, as well as other locations, for a range of events including anniversaries and training exercises.   The machine is able to operate on either mains power or an LED battery, on which it can run for about two hours. Reno said the team was very thankful for the support of Woolworths.  “We’re grateful [for] the Woolworths backing of SAES [who have] supported a lot of these new ventures,” he said. “We wouldn’t be able to do it [without] Woolworths’ support.”

To read John’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment service history, click here

Joel Gibson is a Salvationist, artist and now a committee member for a prestigious Australian art award. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE A Salvationist in Western Australia has been appointed to the committee of an Australian fine art award that focuses on a Scriptural theme. Photographer, videographer and writer Joel Gibson, son of rural and remote chaplains Majors Michelle and Niall Gibson and husband of Merriwa Corps Officer Lieutenant Kirsten Gibson, said it was special to be able to engage his faith and creativity through his role on the committee of the Mandorla Art Award. Joel is the son of rural and remote chaplains Majors Michelle and Niall Gibson. As someone who didn’t play music growing up, he explained that he was recently finding his place in a creative context within The Salvation Army. Joel is currently working as a Digital Communications Officer for a not-for-profit. Creative Arts Ministries National Lead Shushannah Anderson said The Salvation Army had an opportunity to give space for people to flourish in their creative giftings, and Joel was an example of this. “Beauty has always been important in art and in telling God's story [through church],” Shushannah said. “I think it’s awesome for The Salvation Army in this day and age to be empowering people to use their creative skills regardless of the output of that and trying to encourage people [that] if you play an instrument, brilliant, use that. But if you do art, do art. If you paint, paint. If you sculpt, sculpt. If you dance, dance. “Use everything you have for the glory of God.” The Mandorla Art Award, which is open to all artists across Australia and is held every two years in Perth, is based on a Bible passage which is linked to a broader idea. This year’s theme is centred on the topic ‘What is Truth? “I was afraid, because I was naked: and I hid myself” – Genesis 3:10’. The award is the most significant of its kind in the country. The Mandorla Art Award is open to anyone, with or without a faith background. Committee members work to choose a theme, then execute the planning and rollout of the award process, while the judges select the winner. Joel said the committee members and previous winners represented a vast array of faith backgrounds, and it provided a special way to connect across faith and denominational divides. Shushannah said she felt it was important for Salvationists to be working alongside those of other denominations and faith backgrounds, especially while speaking the “common language” of art. “I think it's fantastic that Joel is using the skills that God has given him in these spaces, where it can encourage faith-based conversations and it can encourage unity in the body of Christ,” Shushannah said. “Joel’s using his skills in the opportunities God is giving him, and I think that’s absolutely brilliant.” An example of Joel’s artwork - a triptych composed of original photographs. Image: Supplied. Read more about the Mandorla Art Award here . Visit Joel’s website here .

Devonport Salvo Lydia Bruford and the passage in Exodus 4 that inspires her. Lydia Bruford lives with a rare eye condition called Aniridia, which has caused her to be visually impaired. She is a passionate follower of Jesus, a lifelong Salvo, and an advocate for disability inclusion. Her husband, Lieutenant Dave Bruford, is the Corps Officer of Devonport Salvos in Tasmania. On International Day of People with Disability, Lydia shares her journey of living with a disability. BY LYDIA BRUFORD  I start with a story about a God who listens and sees, not to scrutinise, but to support. This story captures the core message of my life journey living with a disability.  In the Bible book of Exodus, chapter 4, God calls Moses to go to Egypt and tell the Pharaoh (ruler) to let the Israelites go free. It isn’t a moment of perfect readiness; it’s a scene full of fear, uncertainty and unwillingness. Moses, aware of his difficulties with his ability to speak, pushes back: “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now ...” (verse 10). But God doesn’t dismiss him, rush him, or ‘fix’ him. Instead, he listens.  Then God does something both human and divine. He validates Moses’ abilities and worries, and offers partnership: “What about your brother Aaron? ... I will help both of you speak” (verses 14-16). Making space When God meets Moses in his fear and limitations, he doesn't demand anything. He responds with love. God didn’t silence or dismiss Moses. He journeyed alongside him. Lydia (second from right) with her husband David on the day of his Commissioning in 2022, alongside Colonel Winsome Merrett and Commissioner Robert Donaldson. People living with a disability desire the same response from those around them that God gave to Moses. Not pity or performance, but authentic love and care. Not curiosity about their diagnosis, but a genuine commitment to hear their story.  We often ask questions about someone’s disability out of curiosity. However, curiosity without empathy can seem intrusive. Listening that fosters a genuine connection – that’s where love develops. Not broken Living with a disability doesn’t mean you are broken or unseen, even if those around you or society might suggest otherwise. This includes the church. When people assume I can’t do something, or that I need fixing, it often reveals more about their view of disability than about my actual abilities. These assumptions have been painful spaces for me, but in finding and encountering Jesus in the pain, I realised that Jesus was the one who didn’t need me to be healed, didn’t need me to be a certain way to be loved. I experienced that he listened. He gave me strength. He saw me. He loves me. That I was worthy of God’s love by just being me. Inclusion I have a couple of suggestions on how to include someone with a disability: ·      Don’t assume someone’s limitations or needs; build a relationship first. Change the questions. Instead of “What’s your condition?” , ask “How can we best communicate with / support you?”   ·      Avoid asking questions out of curiosity; a person with a disability will usually share the information you need. This might change once you’ve built an authentic relationship with them. People with disabilities are part of God’s plan, not an afterthought. Are you willing to respond as God did to Moses? For more information on International Day of People with Disability, click here

In this interview, Joseph Pinkard, The Salvation Army’s Intercultural and Disability Inclusion Lead, speaks with Kirstyn Oliver (Founder of Alma Autism) about how we can best support neurodiverse young people in the church. We are reminded that we are all made in God’s image and therefore are all valuable members of the body of Christ – capable of contributing with our different gifts and talents.

The MBCP provides a structured environment where men can process and work through violent behaviours. Image: Getty The Men’s Behaviour Change Program (MBCP), delivered by The Salvation Army Family Violence Team in Gippsland, Victoria, is a program supporting men who have used violence in their intimate-partner relationships. As the only program of its kind run by The Salvation Army in Australia, it plays a critical role in addressing the root causes of family violence by fostering accountability and promoting respectful behaviours. This piece is created from a conversation between National Family Violence Specialist LILLY McKEICH and Integrated Men’s Services Team Leader REBECCA WILSON , from Rebecca’s perspective. Led by Rebecca, the program provides a structured group environment where men are supported to examine their attitudes towards women, identify and address the shame often linked to their behaviour, and work towards meaningful change. At the heart of the program is a steadfast commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all victim-survivors and affected family members, ensuring that their voices and experiences remain central throughout the process. Through this important work, the MBCP contributes to broader community efforts to break the cycle of violence and create safer, more respectful relationships and families. How it works The MBCP men’s group comprises of up to 14 men meeting face-to-face during the day, or the alternative of an online group in the evening. Each group includes twice-weekly sessions of two hours length, with 20 sessions in a program. Additionally, each client has two individual sessions with the facilitators. Our group work is facilitated by both a male and female facilitator. This is to model healthy, respectful relationships to the clients.   The primary aim of the MBCP is to promote the safety and wellbeing of victim-survivors by addressing the use of family violence through risk assessments and safety planning. The program works with men who have used violence in their relationships; providing them with support, and encouraging accountability and education around family violence, exploring respectful behaviours, gender roles and discussion of power and control in relationships. Managing risk for the impacted family members we work with is a dedicated Family Safety Contact (FSC), who is central to the MBCP. The FSC offers support to current or former partners, to ensure their voices are heard and safety is prioritised. The FSC is pivotal to the program, as that person ensures that we have a clear lens on the family and the experience of all victim survivors. The men who are participating are often living with their families, including children or extended family.   The group space encourages peer discussion and provides psychoeducation about family violence and the impacts of family violence on victim survivors, both adults and children. We use different modalities of working and engaging with the men participating in our program. We adapt the delivery of content to what the men’s life experiences have been with consideration of mental health, incarceration, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), education levels and cognitive ability. The content is reviewed weekly before each group session. This is to ensure that it is delivered in a way which addresses what the men are bringing into the space and their use of violence within their relationships – historic or current.   Our work is underpinned by the Duluth Model, and we deliver content through an intersectional lens that considers each individual's trauma history, life experiences, and family of origin. While we recognise that many people have experienced significant trauma, we also acknowledge that trauma alone does not cause violence, many people who have faced adversity do not choose to use violence. This understanding helps guide our approach: one that holds men accountable for their behaviour while also recognising the complex factors that may influence their choice to use violent behaviour.     The cohort Referrals are often complex. Men referred may have criminal histories coupled with family violence, or have unsupported mental health factors along with AOD use. The team works with families who may have experienced intergenerational violence and unhealthy role modelling. The families referred are often intact and residing together unlike other specialist family violence programs. What’s at stake is the wellbeing, safety and lives of victim-survivors. Not all of the men are motivated to make change, even if they’re mandated to be in the group by an order from Corrections or Child Protection, there is often resistance. We discuss what’s happened within their families, the use of violence and assess their capacity to take on the information and reflection in the group setting. It can be quite confronting for some of our men, often they have never had these direct conversations.   Processing confronting truths We often get minimisation of the behaviour and the use of violence. We give them an opportunity to tell their story, we listen and ensure we’re not colluding with them. We will put a boundary in place around language or behaviour. If they say something inappropriate and blame their family violence behaviour on the victim survivor, we will immediately reinforce that it isn’t ok. We are transparent about expectations of behaviour in the group and in the language used. We will challenge a client and push back on victim-blaming or a skewed version of events. We tend to gauge how they respond so we are able to manage this in a safe manner for all involved in the group space.   The risks involved Our men can be very vulnerable. As the reflection and understanding of the violence used in their relationships develops, this can increase risk to themselves (self-harm) and increases the risk (harm) to families. The men are having first-time conversations about the impact of their behaviour on partners, children or family members.    We often hear, “I don’t want to be like my old man,” only to later realise that their own violent behaviour mirrors what they experienced as children from their father. This realisation can have a profound impact, often triggering deep feelings of shame and guilt.   We are very aware of the impacts this can have on the men, and they are supported with additional referrals to other services.  Safety planning is completed with clients by facilitators and is completed with family members by the FSC.  We are constantly assessing and reviewing risk.   Managing shame and guilt Understanding shame and guilt and how these emotions impact behaviour or decision making is very important. Guilt will keep you repeating a behaviour. Shame can be paralysing and inhibit change.   We discuss body signs, the impact of emotions on your body.  We talk about what to do if things become overwhelming, and help them develop the ability to make a different decision about behaviour in the moment. This might involve a response such as removing oneself, or having an agreed-to plan in place before things blow up. We safety plan around the men's behaviour (historic and current) and the new emotions that group work may bring, with an awareness of any thoughts or feelings that may come from these group discussions.  The men are offered a space in the group to reflect on their violent behaviour and are given the tools to make a change and record this in a documented safety plan to promote accountability. This is done in a respectful, non-judgmental, supportive manner to strive for safe and positive outcomes for the families we work with.

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week ( 1-7 December ), we pray for the Nigeria Territory.   The Nigeria Territory has 535 officers (386 active, 149 retired); 208 envoys; 33 cadets; 214 corps; 159 outposts; 23,831 senior soldiers; 2163 adherents; 9120 junior soldiers; 666 employees.     The work of the territory includes: ·  Education (57 schools) ·  Emergency relief (1600 people assisted in 2024) ·  Health services ·  Modern slavery and human trafficking response    Colonels Friday and Glory Ayanam lead the territory. They have shared the following points to guide us as we pray:   Praise points:   Join us to thank and praise God for the successful hosting of the following this year:   ·      Territorial Men’s Fellowship congress in February. ·      Territorial Youth leaders and DYO’s workshop in March. ·      Territorial Prayer Conference in June. ·      The women’s ministries participated in West Africa Women Congress at Ghana in April. ·      Officer’s Council that was conducted in all the five zones of the territory between May and October. ·      The Territorial Evangelical Outreach that took place between March and October. ·      Territorial Holiness and Prayer Convention (Fire Conference) that was held in the five zones of the territory in August and October. ·      Successful Commissioning/ Ordination and appointment of the Champions of Mission on 24 August.   Prayer Requests:   ·      Pray for the Keepers of the Covenant Session who have been in their field appointment since September, that God will use them to establish righteousness in the community where they are sent. ·      As we are in the harvest season, pray that God will give our corps, societies and outposts a bountiful harvest so that they can smash their assessment for the year. ·      The territory has been embarking on plotting a new Territorial Strategic Plan and setting goals from 2026–2030. Pray for divine direction upon the territorial leaders, and the compliance of the soldiers to achieve the set goals within the set period. ·      Pray for divine protection and journey mercies upon our territorial leaders as they continue in their familiarisation tours within the territory. ·      Pray for the good health of both retired and active officers. ·      Pray that God will help the Officer’s Training College to overcome its financial challenges. ·      The efforts of The Salvation Army in the northern part of Nigeria, where insurgency is prevalent, will never be in vain. God has answered the prayer of raising indigenous Salvationists in the northern part of the territory. Fifteen of them from Jebbu-Miango Outpost were sworn in as soldiers by the Territorial Commander in October. Pray that the number will continue to increase from different parts of the northern zone of the territory. ·      Pray for our nation Nigeria; for security of lives and properties.   To find out more about the Nigeria Territory, click here . To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .

Major Mal Davies with the Reverend Dr Ric Thorpe, Archbishop of Melbourne. Image: Facebook Victorian Divisional Commander Major Mal Davies yesterday attended the installation of the Reverend Dr Ric Thorpe as the new Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne. The event, held at St Paul’s Cathedral, included 1400 attendees from across the country and multiple denominational backgrounds. The former Church of England bishop is the first from the UK to be appointed as Archbishop of Melbourne, and brings a longstanding track record of church planting and evangelism. “It was a wonderful service and it was amazing to hear him speak of the same priorities we're focusing on: prayer, mission, discipleship, raising up leaders, keeping Jesus-centred and serving others as Christ did,” Mal wrote on Facebook. “He concluded by saying: ‘Let me state it plainly: I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as long as God gives me breath.’ I spoke to him afterwards and he told me of his admiration for The Salvation Army and his work with us in London. I look forward to working with him here as we both seek Kingdom growth.”

From: Mackay Corps (Qld) Appointment: Corps Officer at Mackay Corps (Qld) Silver Star recipients : Bruce and Margaret Dobbie   Some might say that I’ve lived a sheltered life, and in many ways, that’s true. I grew up in a typical officer’s household, surrounded by faith, structure and a strong foundation. But it wasn’t until later in life, through a season of searching and reflecting on God’s blessings, that His presence became real and personal to me.    Despite the environment I was raised in, stepping into ministry wasn’t something I rushed into. In fact, although many people believed I was called to officership, I was holding firmly to a very solid “no”. I needed to hear it from God for myself.    I also deeply believed that if God was calling me, He was calling Belinda too. Officership wasn’t on our radar, but together we started to sense that God was preparing us for something that we hadn’t expected.    Through a series of unexpected circumstances and the inner tension I was wrestling with, we began to see God’s quiet but unmistakable guidance. It wasn’t loud, but it was clear that He had our situation in hand and was inviting us to trust Him with whatever was coming next.    One of the biggest factors in our decision to step into ministry was our children, and we were very mindful of the impact that ministry could have on them. But God continues to show us that He not only called us, but He surrounds our family with community, friendship, and support that confirms we’re walking the path He intended.    There are many days when I still feel unequipped for the task, but I hold onto the promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9,    “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”    Being commissioned isn’t a new beginning but it’s the continuation of the yes I gave God seven years ago. Still surrendered. Still trusting. Still ready.    Bible verse: “Preach the Word, be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2 CSB17). Watch the Mackay Commissioning event live:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW8JR_fVudw

From: Mackay Corps (Qld) Appointment: Corps Officer at Mackay Corps (Qld) Silver Star recipients : Alan and Robyn Moyer   I’m a generational Salvo, blessed to grow up with loving Christian parents who were and still are deeply involved in The Salvation Army.   So, from a young age, I was immersed in church life and gradually took on many leadership roles within the corps I grew up in. Faith, service, and community were always part of my story.   But every time Candidates Sunday came around, I would tune out. I had no interest in officership and never thought it was for me. Full-time ministry just wasn’t on my radar.   I was happy to serve God … just not like that! Little did I know that God was quietly working behind the scenes, preparing me for the day I would finally say yes to His calling.    That moment came unexpectedly. In March 2018, David attended a mission conference while I stayed home with the kids. During that weekend, I felt a deep stirring in my heart. I sensed God saying, “Get ready for a new adventure.”   When David came home, he said, “There’s a ministry opportunity in Cairns.” I cried ... a lot. I’d been to Cairns on holiday before and had said, “I never, ever want to come back here again!” Yet somehow, even through the tears, I knew God was up to something and that it was time to trust Him.   By the beginning of September 2018, we had taken leave from our jobs, packed up our house, and planned to leave Ipswich on the 10th of October. Then, on the 24th of September, we received confirmation that we had been accepted as Auxiliary-Lieutenants, and just two weeks later, on the 8th of October, we found out we were appointed to Cairns Corps.   Some people might say we jumped the gun, but deep down I knew this was exactly where God wanted us to be. Even without all the details in place, I had a peace that it would all work out, because when you are faithful to God’s call, He works everything out in His perfect timing.   David and I have now been Auxiliary-Lieutenants for seven years (currently serving as Corps Officers at Mackay, Qld). Over this time, I have grown deeper in faith and as a person. Though fear has often tried to hold me back, the Holy Spirit uses me in ways I never thought imaginable, empowering me beyond my own strength.   I hold tightly to the promise of Romans 8:28, that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. I could never do this journey on my own, but I’m so thankful that He’s the one leading the way. I’m excited to see where He takes us next!  Bible verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Watch the Commissioning event at Mackay live:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW8JR_fVudw