Black Christian clergy members and addressing intimate partner violence: understanding intersections of law, gender, migration and violence

Gabriella Rutendo Mwedzi

Chapter 17 in Research Handbook on Gender, Violence and Law, 2026, pp 281-298 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Studies on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) reveal common experiences among Black, Christian and migrant women, shaped by patriarchal and religious ideologies that obscure their victimhood. For Black Christian African migrants in the diaspora, cultural-religious norms influence perceptions of IPV and appropriate responses. As cultural and religious custodians, migrant clergy members play a crucial role in identifying IPV and offering support. This qualitative study draws from three focus groups with Black Christian African clergy members in the UK, examining how clergy, guided by the biblical concept of family, often prioritize relationship preservation over addressing victims’ harm. The study explores the complex intersections of law, gender, migration and violence, revealing how clergy perceptions shape responses to IPV.

Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence; Clergy Members; Christianity; Migration; Law and Gender; Race (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035319398
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