Pastoral Response to Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Study of the Kenya Assemblies of God Pastors, Nairobi County and its Environs

Abstract

Previous studies on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) indicated that survivors, male or female, may find it a challenge to talk about their situation with friends and family members. It is noteworthy that women suffer violence more in the hands of their intimate partners than men do. Women often seek help from pastors and consider the church a safe place for them and their children. This research was done among senior pastors of Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) in Nairobi. It sought to establish the prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) as observed by pastors within the KAG church, their views, and how Christian teachings and culture influenced how they respond to IPV. This research adopted survey research design and used purposive sampling to recruit the targeted 147 senior pastors. Questionnaires were distributed to the senior pastors and analysed. The researcher received valid responses from 89 respondents. It was found that 98.8% of the pastors acknowledged that IPV existed among KAG congregations. It further revealed that the pastors were aware of the dynamics and manifestations of IPV and were willing to assist survivors to find healing. The pastors’ main focus towards IPV intervention was fostering reconciliation using scriptural teachings as the basis for intervention. The researcher recommended that the church in Kenya may need to organise seminars where IPV can be discussed freely with the facilitation and assistance of trauma therapists or trained marital counsellors.