Walking away is no easy choice

26/11 Sally Bennett, Herald Sun | YOU have to walk in the shoes of a domestic violence victim to comprehend why she stays in a dangerous relationship. It's not because she's weak or stupid. It's because she lacks the vital support she needs to get out safely, set up an independent life, and live without fear of the consequences.

Walking away sounds simple. People shake their heads and ask, why does she stay? In reality, there are huge obstacles to leaving, and getting out can be just the beginning.

To be in an abusive relationship, and to leave one, is to live with a level of despair that is maddening. The sense of isolation is depressing. The sense of fear is overwhelming. And the sense of entrapment is debilitating.

I know because I've lived it. As will at least one in five Victorian women.

 We clearly have a problem when there are 42,000 reports each year to the DHS in Victoria. On average, this is 115 times each day when someone feels a child has been, or is, at risk of serious harm - a 13 per cent increas since 2000-01.

Should we blame the parents who are thought to be abusing or neglecting their children? The answer is both yes - and no.

Yes, we should absolutely be charging parents who sexually assault their children, break their bones, are deliberately cruel or seriously neglect them

... My 35 years' experience in this work tells me that most parents want the best for their kids. Bringing up children is hard work. But mental illness, isolation, lack of support, family breakdown, poverty and homelessness can get in the way. So too can family violence, drugs or alcohol and gambling.

ACL launches ‘Viewpoint’ magazine

The first edition of the ACL’s new peer-reviewed policy magazine, called Viewpoint, is now available for download at www.viewpointmagazine.com.au.

In this edition we have a debate on the science of climate change, as well as articles about freedom of religion, classification, girls and violence, homelessness, refugees, baby safe havens and making poverty your business. This inaugural edition is free, so we do hope you download it, read some of the articles, give us your feedback and subscribe.

Future issues will be available at newsagencies and by subscription only. The magazine includes peer-reviewed articles, a section for established journalists reflecting on society and culture, and a ‘political opinions’ section - with politicians from both sides of the fence sharing their latest thoughts. It aims to inform and influence policy makers on issues of concern to the Christian constituency before they hit parliament. Complimentary copies of Viewpoint are given to all Federal and State/Territory politicians.

If you have a deeper interest in public policy and like exploring how Christianity and other worldviews approach contemporary issues then Viewpoint is for you.

Please subscribe to receive future editions at www.viewpointmagazine.com.au.

Please also click here to read ACL’s media release from today about the launch of the magazine.

Cannabis takes toll on Aborigines

James Cook University researcher Alan Clough, who has been looking at the issue of indigenous drug use for the past five years, found cannabis use in remote communities was now as high as 70 per cent of people, with almost 90 per cent of users claiming to be addicted.

Since the study began in 2004, the bulk of users surveyed reported continuing heavy use.

"After 15 years of a cannabis epidemic we're really starting to see the chronic mental effects appearing," Professor Clough said.

"We've seen acute psychosis that is irreversible, as well as depression and dependence. Unfortunately we also have the situation where suicide is linked not just with cannabis use but also through withdrawal.

Growth comes at a cost, and sometimes happiness pays

The pain of problem gambling outweighs its boost to the economy.

The Age | WHAT is the role of government? What do our politicians imagine they are there to do? Most of us would say the role of government is to advance our wellbeing.

This involves essential but mundane activities such as law and order, mending roads and running schools. But it also involves making progress, and when it comes to making things better, almost all pollies - and business people, and economists - think in terms of economic growth. The faster the nation's production of goods and services grows, the faster our average material standard of living rises.

We live in an age of heightened materialism and this is reflected in the values and goals of our politicians. Once, education was seen as an end in itself; educated people were more fulfilled, they got more out of life. Today, politicians speak of education mainly as a way of hastening economic growth.

Wanted Mum & Dad

Peter Earle, Australian Christian Lobby, Queensland | The Queensland Government is planning to allow homosexual men and lesbian women to acquire babies through surrogacy, deliberately denying children the right to a mother AND a father.

Premier Anna Bligh has said she wants to legislate for this before the end of the year.

Please go to our Wanted: Mum AND Dad campaign on our make a stand website.

There you can find more information and make a stand against same sex surrogacy by; 1. Signing the E-Petition to the Queensland Parliament  and 2. Sending off a quick e-mail to your local member.

Training tomorrow's leaders

There is a great need in this nation to assist those students and recent graduates who demonstrate a high potential to become influential leaders for Christ across strategic areas of our nation including politics, law, media, science, education, arts and philosophy.

The Compass program, an eight-day course in Christian worldview, aims to address this need.

For more information and to register interest for 2009, please go to www.compass.org.au .

Lyle Shelton
National Chief of Staff , Australian Christian Lobby