This year’s enditnow event in Australia was marked by inspiring rallies in Sydney and Victoria, along with an online summit that brought participants together from across the country.

The Sydney rally, held at Mountain View Adventist College on August 23, 2025, drew more than 100 attendees—an increase from last year. The program featured music by New Sydney Samoan, speeches from Greater Sydney Conference leaders, and a presentation by Claire Marsh, psychologist and manager of Adventist Counselling Services. The afternoon concluded with a Q&A session and a community meal.

One of the most moving moments came when an abuse survivor shared her journey of pain and her ongoing path to healing.

“I used to think healing meant forgetting; now I know it means remembering without being owned by the pain,” she shared.

Having experienced sexual abuse as a child, she spoke about trust, forgiveness, and identity.

“In spite of all that happened then and how my younger years were affected, by some miracle I have a relationship with God,” she said. “I say to myself, I am who I am in Christ. I am His child. I am worthy of His love, salvation and grace because of who He is. I’m His work of art.”

Speakers reinforced the Christian commitment to stand against abuse. Greater Sydney Conference president Alban Matohiti reminded the audience that “in God’s kingdom . . . there is no place for violence in whatever shape and form that presents itself”.

Referencing John 14:27, he said in a world full of insecurity, violence, and fear, Jesus gives us peace.

“You’ll be surprised how many of us need the peace of Jesus,” he said. “We need His presence to really be true in our lives so we can bless others with that gift that Jesus has set aside for a world that is struggling with pain and fear."

Marsh urged the community to respond with wisdom, compassion, and practical action.

“Every time we speak up, we break the silence,” she said. “Every time we offer compassion, we restore dignity, and every time we act, we move closer to ending it now. Love is not submission, but safety. The Church should be safe, not silent. So let us be a generation that sees a pattern and stops it, let us be a Church that reflects the heart of Christ, a heart that heals, protects, and uplifts, and let us be a community that says no more, not here, let’s end it now.”

In addition to the Sydney gathering, rallies were also held in Burwood, Melbourne, and in Bairnsdale, Victoria. Attendees collected 60 “Go Bags” to support individuals experiencing domestic violence.

The annual online summit on August 22 attracted around 100 viewers on YouTube and Facebook.

Keynote speaker Paul Borgacs led the discussion, which also featured an engaging panel session. During the summit, organizers introduced a new enditnow website, a project of the Australian Union Conference, which includes practical guidance, tools, and policies to equip local churches to become safe spaces.

The site provides free videos, articles, and a downloadable Breaking the Silence booklet, with a teen edition also available.

The enditnow movement, initiated by the global Seventh-day Adventist Church, continues to raise awareness, inspire change, and provide hope and healing for survivors of abuse.

Australian Union Conference women’s ministries director Sylvia Mendez said it is an initiative the Church can be proud of.

“I pray that these events continue to grow and more of our people are educated and have a greater understanding of how we—the Seventh-day Adventist Church—are working to raise awareness and ultimately bring an end to violence,” she said.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.