Shelter from the Raging Wind: Religious Needs of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence and Faith Leaders' Responses

Abstract

This paper integrates the findings from three studies on religious methods to cope with or prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). These analyses examined religious coping methods from multiple perspectives. One study surveyed Christian women's experiencing of coping with IPV, another presented findings from interviews with Christian women IPV victims, and a third investigated faith leaders' beliefs about the occurrence of IPV and the methods they utilize to support victims in their congregations. Findings describe mechanisms that may underlie how intrinsic religion and negative religious coping influence distress. Results highlight responses of leaders that may cause unintentional harm to IPV victims. Suggestions for religious leaders are provided on how to best approach this issue.