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Broken Vows: Religious Perspectives on Domestic Violence

NCJ Number
158623
Date Published
1994
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Intended for clergy, congregations, religious educators, and the staff of battered women's programs and human service agencies, this video addresses the various aspects of the problems and situations of battered women in the context of their religious faith and discusses possible clergy and congregational responses to these problems.
Abstract
Part I (37 minutes of video time) focuses on the dynamics of domestic violence in the context of various religious perspectives. The battered women who tell their stories come from various religious backgrounds, including conservative evangelical, Jewish, Catholic, and mainline Protestantism. The common feelings of these formerly battered women included a sense of being at fault for causing their husband's anger and assaults, an initial commitment to preserve the marriage by complying with the husband's wishes, and finally a decision to protect themselves and restore their dignity by leaving the abuser, or in one case killing the abuser. Many of the victims failed to find the help they needed from their pastors and churches; some clergy counseled preservation of the marriage by complying with the husband's wishes. The rabbis and ministers who offer their comments in the video, however, express a theology that supports care and concern for the protection and emotional health of the victim of abuse, as well as accountability and treatment for the abuser. These priorities rank higher than the preservation of the abusive relationship. In Part II (22 minutes of video time) possible clergy and congregational responses to domestic violence are discussed and portrayed. Activities portrayed include a church-sponsored teaching and discussion session on domestic violence; a pastoral sermon on domestic violence and the church's responsibility to prevent and respond to it; and a church program structured to provide resources, in cooperation with secular programs, for battered women and their children. A point made in Part II is that neither pastors nor congregations are prepared to provide the expert psychological and legal services required to help domestic-violence victims; however, they can provide practical help along with emotional and spiritual support and guidance for those battered women who seek strength and enlightenment in their religious faith. A study guide for facilitators accompanies the video.