Challenging Assumptions: Clergy Perspectives and Practices Regarding Intimate Partner Violence

The author thanks the participants, Sandra Mott, PhD, and Karen Kayser, PhD, at Boston College for their valuable support and feedback.

Abstract

Many individuals in African‐American communities turn to their pastors for help with domestic violence; however, very little is known about actual clergy perspectives and practices regarding intimate partner violence. A single‐interview template was designed to gain insight into the thinking of eight clergy on this topic. The findings of this study provide insight regarding perspectives and practices used by clergy to address partner violence, many of which are compatible with clinical best practices. They also provide understanding about the attitudes or interventions possibly encountered by victims of intimate partner violence in some churches.

Keywords:

• religion
• African American
• domestic violence
• partner violence
• clergy

Notes

The author thanks the participants, Sandra Mott, PhD, and Karen Kayser, PhD, at Boston College for their valuable support and feedback.