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INSERT IMAGE FROM ABOVE: Resolutions of Unity Synods (1995, 2009, and 2016) regarding Violence against Women and the Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum.

“Resolution US2016.35: Unity Women’s Desk Representation at Unity Synod Whereas Unity Women’s Desk has become an entity structured in accordance with the Unity structures by adopting proposal 43; and Whereas the gender balance of delegates at the Unity Synod is still an aim the Provinces have to achieve; and Whereas the UWD does important work in networking, supporting women throughout the Unity and addressing their issues; be it Resolved Unity Provinces are mandated to elect at least one female delegate into their delegations to Unity Synod; and be it further Resolved the UWD is given the right to send one delegate without vote to Unity Synod to report about its work and to contribute to the deliberations at Synod.

Resolution US2016.37:
Violence Against Women and Children
Whereas we affirm Article #843 of the Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum (COUF) addresses Violence against Women and Children, and Whereas Article #843 “Mandates all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to form support and study groups to provide contexts for discussions, counselling and support to victims and perpetrators of violence;” and Whereas this matter still does not receive sufficient attention in all Provinces because the victims are afraid to raise their hurt and pain in the church, be it Resolved that every Province mandates a process by which an individual can safely report the abuse by another individual (including the pastor, other church leaders, teacher, family member, etc.):” and be it further Resolved that said Provincial policies be formulated and sent in written form to the Unity Board President and the Unity Board Administrator by the year 2018 and copied to the Unity Women’s Desk; and be it further Resolved that a Provincial Code of Conduct wherever it exists be made public, and in cases where a Code of Conduct does not exist, efforts be made to develop one.”

843. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

  • It was resolved that Unity Synod:
  • a) Recommends to all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to raise the awareness of its congregations and members in regards to this problem and its effects, through sermons, education programmes, and personal interactions.
  • b) Recommends to all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to establish and support existing education and resource centres and
  • shelters to benefit the victims of such violence.
  • c) Mandates all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to form support and study groups to provide contexts for discussions, counselling and support to victims and perpetrators of violence.
  • d) Mandates all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to address themselves to violence in the media in their respective areas, by
  • bringing to bear pressure on their respective governments to pass legislation which will have the effect of controlling the
  • e) Mandates all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to bring to bear pressure on their respective governments to pass legislation
  • penalising violence against women and children.
  • f) Mandates all Provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to educate its congregations and members of their rights under existing legislation.
  • (1995, #909)

865. EDUCATION

It was resolved that:
a) The Unity directs the Provinces to adopt a policy that mandates training in pastoral care and includes training to recognize and appropriately address violence against women and Children.
b) Pastors who have completed their training be given regular refresher training courses by means of retreats, conferences,
seminars as are appropriate to equip them to give pastoral care to victims and families of victims of violence.
(2009)

Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum 2016
Libro de Orden de la Unitas Fratrum 2016