Weaving faith and reconciliation for child abuse survivors

Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT, Rev. Myung Hwa Park, was one of the interfaith representatives that attended this year’s Blue Knot Day prayer service.

Representatives from Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i and Muslim faiths came together to pray, as a testament of solidarity with adult survivors of childhood trauma.

Pitt Street Uniting Church and South Sydney Uniting Church hosted this service, which was one of 30 events across the country on this day of healing.

The event was a mix of prayers, reflection and song.

Lead singer of the indigenous Green Hand Band and a Gumbayngir man, Tim Gray, opened the service.

Two moving survivor stories shared on the day revealed the scars and the challenges of recovery for those affected by childhood trauma.

In a sombre moment, the interfaith representatives prayed over a bowl of water that symbolised the tears of mourning. Blue ribbon was weaved in silent reflection before the Baha’i choir elevated their melodic voices.

Survivor and advocacy groups including President of the Blue Knot Foundation, Dr Cathy Kezelman AM supported the Federal Government’s recent announcement for a national redress scheme for survivors.

Dr Kezelman welcomed the announcement, but called for all states and territories to sign up.

The Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the Act supported the Government’s announcement.

“It is vital that survivors can access a consistent, fair and uniform approach to redress and a National Scheme can achieve this.

“We are committed to actively contributing to the healing and justice process for survivors of child sexual abuse and look forward to working with the Government to implement the scheme,” said Rev. Park.

The Uniting Church Synod has an interim redress scheme available for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

Pictured: Interfaith representatives at this year’s Blue Knot Day prayer service.