Clergy Training for Effective Response to Intimate Partner Violence Disclosure: Immediate and Long-Term Benefits

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2-2018

Keywords

Church, Clergy training, Community organizing, Domestic violence training, Faith community, Intimate partner violence, IPV training, Pastor training, Religion, Social work practice, Spouse abuse

Abstract

This study reports findings from an intimate partner violence-training project in which 104 Seventh-Day Adventist pastors received a 4-hr training in responding effectively to intimate partner violence (IPV) disclosure. The educational endeavor targeted three areas for improvement in clergy response: (a) increasing pastors’ understanding of the unique dynamics in abusive relationships, (b) providing information on IPV resources and services, and (c) developing pastors’ abilities and motivations to be proactive in addressing IPV. Pretest, posttest and 1-year follow up data indicate that pastors who engaged in IPV training demonstrated immediate and long-term positive changes. Specifically, participants showed improvements in each of the targeted areas. Beyond the gains in knowledge and attitudes about IPV, the study results also indicate that pastors receiving training expanded their activities to positively address IPV in their congregations. Social workers can play a significant role in addressing clergy training needs by strengthening pastors’ abilities to respond appropriately to parishioners’ IPV disclosures.

Journal Title

Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work : Social Thought

Volume

37

Issue

1

First Page

77

Last Page

93

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2017.1363011

First Department

Graduate Psychology and Counseling

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