Faith-Based Support for Survivors of Domestic Abuse: The Insights of Church Leaders in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The study aimed to explore faith community-based support for women experiencing abuse in rural areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using qualitative methods, this study interviewed nine faith leaders to explore their perspectives regarding the support they provide for women surviving domestic abuse in their congregations. Insights highlight that faith leaders provide well-needed support, including prayers and counselling, for abused women navigating the aftermath of domestic abuse. However, this study found that the attitude of some faith leaders in understanding marriage relationships is influenced by patriarchal ideology, which is reflected in the way they justify male dominance in the family sphere. The adherence to traditional gender role norms that emphasise male authority reveals a broader systemic belief that has the potential to negatively influence the support they provide for abused women. The study concludes that while all faith leaders who took part in this study demonstrate a commitment to helping abused women, the majority of them have limited knowledge on how to effectively deal with survivors of domestic abuse, which tends to weaken their efforts. This paper recommends that faith leaders receive training on domestic abuse so that they can respond effectively to the needs of survivors.