Faith tested
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Dr Lynne Baker of UQ’s School of Education has researched the coping strategies of Christian women who had to deal not only with domestic abuse, but sometimes also a lack of help from the church.
“Christian women, particularly those from more fundamentalist denominations, can suffer more because of their faith,” Dr Baker said.
“They may experience exactly the same issues as secular women, but have the added pressure of Christian faith, which, when handled correctly, can be a help, but can often serve as an extra burden.”
Dr Baker said some women she had interviewed told her church leaders had advised them to respect their husbands and forgive them for their abusive actions.
“Forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciliation, and some of these women were forced to endure abuse for years because they were told leaving their husbands would be a greater sin,” Dr Baker said.
“This is where the scripture is taken out of context and can lead to very destructive situations.”
Dr Baker said while this contradiction of Christian mores sometimes drove women from the church and their faiths, many still turned to their beliefs for strength.
She said the personal advice provided by the Christian women in her study would help both victims of domestic abuse and the clergy who might try to help them.
