Violence Against Women in a Multiethnic Church

Abstract

Domestic violence affects the lives of millions of women and children around the world, but very little of the literature addresses the unique context of women in multiethnic churches. For that reason, we decided to study the women of a multiethnic church community. This chapter looks at abuse experienced or observed by eleven women, all attenders of a multiethnic church in a major metro area in the Midwest. The women come from diverse ethnicities, socioeconomic levels, and neighborhoods. Some are first- or second-generation immigrants from Africa, some are white, and some are women of color. In this chapter they discuss their experiences and views of domestic violence: giving examples, discussing perceptions of abuse in their families and communities, identifying factors that impact abuse, and articulating the role of faith in their healing and restoration. Two focus groups, four interviews, and a questionnaire provided both quantitative and qualitative data, which was analyzed for thematic content. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)