The Reverend Tracy Lauersen will drive response to empower families and women in church communities
The Anglican Church of Australia has appointed the Reverend Tracy Lauersen to take charge of its national family violence prevention program.
In her new role as National Program Manager of the Families and Culture Commission, Ms Lauersen, pictured above with the the General Synod executive, will work with Anglican Dioceses to implement priority projects to empower families and women in its church communities and protect their well-being.
She will also co-ordinate with churches and dioceses across the country the implementation of the Church’s Ten Commitments, which focus on long-term strategies to address family violence in the Church.
“Tracy has been at the forefront of the Church’s efforts to address the scourge of family violence and I am delighted she will continue to drive our program forward,” Anglican Primate Archbishop Geoff Smith said.
Ms Lauersen said she felt privileged to be undertaking the role.
“Family violence is a problem for our world, for our country, and yes, for people of faith too,” she said. “All segments of our society need to play their part in identifying and addressing roots of the problem.
“For the church this means working as one to address the particular drivers and triggers present for people of faith and for faith communities.”
“We have a vision of our church pulpits being used more than ever before to advocate as Jesus did for the way of peace, respect and safety for all, and for our Sunday schools and youth groups to help raise up future generations of people who regard and treat others as their equals regardless of gender or other differences.”
Ms Lauersen led the team that steered the ground-breaking 2019 National Anglican Family Violence Project that researched the nature and prevalence of intimate partner violence affecting Anglicans.
Before joining the priesthood Ms Lauersen had a corporate career in Training and Development. She has served in ministry in Diocesan roles and parishes in the Dioceses of Sydney, Melbourne, and Gippsland.
