The Significance of the Church’s Role in Domestic Violence Cases Among Roma Women

Petra Kleindienst (), Predrag Ljubotina, Aleksandar Racz and Borut Rončević
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Petra Kleindienst: School of Advanced Social Studies, Gregorciceva 19, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Predrag Ljubotina: School of Advanced Social Studies, Gregorciceva 19, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Aleksandar Racz: Polytechnic of Health, University of Applied Health Sciences Zagreb, Mlinarska cesta 38, 1000 Zagreb, Croatia
Borut Rončević: School of Advanced Social Studies, Gregorciceva 19, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: The article examines the support structures available to Roma women faced with domestic violence, focusing on the role of the church as a sanctuary. The research includes a case study of the Roma community in Međimurje County, Croatia, which is characterized by (Catholic) religious homogenization. Analysis reveals that Roma women who fear the perpetrator prefer confidentiality, anticipate disbelief, or feel they are themselves to blame are more likely to seek support from the church. The findings show that Roma women who report domestic violence to the police are also likely to turn to the church for help. The research further examines the correlation between different types of violence and the likelihood of Roma women contacting the church for support.

Keywords: domestic violence; help; victims; Roma population; women; Croatia; church (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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