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The Role of the Church in Screening, Assessment and Treatment of Domestic Violence
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Abstract
Sexism is one of the most common excuses by men who use excessive force to abuse their partners
in the name of the control. The issue is of great concern; however, statistics show that 55%-95%
of victims have not reported domestic violence. It makes a great concern to the American society
when the number of domestic violence abuse yet a system of underreporting persists in the United
States. Statistics show an estimate of 40% of women approaching church leaders for help
concerning domestic violence issues. It, therefore, places clergymen in a unique position to advise
victims of domestic violence and guide them to seek further professional help. Victims should seek
redress from professional health care providers to ensure that they receive the necessary help. It is,
therefore, imperative for clergymen to learn intervention processes and models of treatment to
ensure effective handling of matters. The incorporation of religion and service to domestic
violence should be nurtured and cultivated to ensure more women come forward and out of abusive
relationships.
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The Role of the Church in Screening, Assessment and Treatment of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is one of the most persistent and problematic public health problems
confronted by women in America. According to the King James Bible, 1611, Deuteronomy 22:
26, violence against women is viewed as an equivalence to murder; this is either through
psychological or physical harm. With regards to the National Survey, it approximates that 25%of
women in America Will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime
(Derakhshanpour et al., 2014). The resultant consequences of domestic violence are the growth of
mental health issues. The most common mental health issues are depression and posttraumatic
stress disorder, which have a prevalence of 48% and 31%-84.4%, respectively, in domestic
violence victims. These mental health problems persist many years after the end of abuse (Cohen
et al., 2018). The prevalence of domestic violence in American society so perverse, and the
resultant outcomes costly for the family, societies, and victims. There are various instances of
sexual abuse in the Bible, and God views these acts as an outrage and is considered an extreme act
of violence against Man and God. King James Bible, 1611, Psalms 10 describes the feeling of the
oppressed as, "His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are
mischief and iniquity. There has been limited success in the various forms of intervention for
intimate partner violence resulting in a persistent pattern of abuse. It has resulted in interpersonal
victimization among survivors who have posttraumatic stress disorder (Derakhshanpour et al.,
2014). Interpersonal trauma can result in subsequent revictimization of survivors, ensuring the
cycle of oppression continues (Dattilio & Epstein, 2016). There is a strong correlation between the
bible view on intimate partner violence to those from secular views. Therefore, there should be
elaborate plans to effectively screen, assess and evaluate, and the eventual treatment (Dattilio &
Epstein, 2016). It will ensure victims get control of their lives to live a holistic life. Another
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approach to intimate partner violence is the use of religion to curb this despicable act. The clergy
may employ the use of scripture to counsel victims of domestic violence or teach the perpetrator
how to stop their acts (Bent-Goodley et al., 2015).
Screening and Assessment
To properly understand why domestic violence is a significant issue in society and our
churches, people need to have the will to talk about power, marriage, violence, and gender. The
Bible terms any kind of violence to be against humankind and God. In the book proverbs 3 and
10, and Psalm 11, violence is viewed as" detestable to the Lord," and the word strongly condemns
it as it is associated with wickedness. However, violence remains a persistent practice in society.
Notably, in the past decades, violence against women has been prevalent in the community. This
is condemned in the scripture as its oppressed women; for instance, rape was considered as equal
to killing in the Jewish law (King James Bible, 1611, Deuteronomy 22: 26). This because it caused
a lot of pressure on women into sex, both psychologically (King James Bible, 1611, Deuteronomy
22:28-29) and physically (King James Bible, 1611, Deuteronomy 22:25-27). There are numerous
scenarios of women being sexually abused in the Bible, including Tamar, Dinah, and women from
Bethlehem. This portrays that violence has been in existence. In the King James Bible, 1611, Psalm
56, God assures us that He is on the side of those who experience abuse and oppression. God
expresses His wish and desires for a change of the society for those who go through injustice, the
burdened and the marginalized (King James Bible, 1611, Matthew 9:13; Luke 4:18-21; Mark 3:4-
5; Proverbs 14:31). In the book of Matthew 26:52 & Mark 10: 41-45 from King James Bible, 1611,
Jesus is against the rules of violence. Therefore, this implies that the abuser should cease using
violence against the powerless, institutions should not ignore the trauma that those who survive
violence go through and that the powerful should share their privilege to the vulnerable people.
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There have been debates concerning the family law system and the domestic violence
sector on the possibility of making a differentiation between a high conflict divorce and an abusive
relationship. Literature suggests that a high level of knowledge and skills obtained from
specialized training and experience is required for effective screening and assessment of child
abuse and domestic violence. Screening is a safety precaution that helps in identifying those at risk
of domestic violence and may also aid in coming up with intervention early enough to help the
affected individuals. Screening is focused on the victim and enables practitioners to formulate
questions that will help in identifying the possibility of violence and work on the client's safety.
The assessment of domestic violence involves various strategies such as asking questions
that are relevant in clients' histories, case finding in people with suggestive signs and symptoms,
and conducting screening during health examinations. Additionally, assessing for domestic
violence may involve finding out for strong dependence on a partner for decision making,
traumatic stress signs such as nightmares, sleepless nights, anxiety, and depression, consistently
failing to honor obligations such as appointments, having difficulty in providing more details on
problems in the family and home life, the partner being involved in substance abuse, and
unexplained injuries (Gracia et al., 2015). The setting in which one conducts the assessment of
domestic violence for a family or couple also plays a vital role in the outcome. Seeing couples
together and separately has often been recommended. Furthermore, the kind of questions asked
also determine the kind of answer to get. For example, the use of direct and closed questions is
likely to lead to a No answer. There are numerous topic areas that researchers point out to help in
assessing violence. They include; introductory questions, property violence, sexual violence,
psychological violence, child abuse, physical violence, and substance abuse.
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Further, batterer and mutual combat assessments may also help determine violence.
Notably, batterers have high levels of jealousy and control, while mutual combatants have some
selective control and jealousy, and the victim usually has very little control and jealousy. In most
cases for the victims, their anger is usually turned inwards into depression. When conducting the
assessment, one should start with less threatening questions such as the stability and general
functioning of the relationship (Gracia et al., 2015). Many people find it easier to admit and discuss
with open and less threatening questions. Later on, in the discussion, direct questions may now be
applied after the client's feel safe and comfortable disclosing their information concerning any
violence. This is made possible by creating a supportive environment. It is essential to make the
victim understand that what they have gone through is not their fault and has the will to help them
out as the word says" carry each other's burdens and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"
(King James Bible, 1611, Galatians 6:2).
There are various assessment tools that can be used in assessing domestic violence. These
tools involve;
MOSAIC
This involves using a series of questions where each us weighed by MOSAIC concerning
their importance. This tool is crucial since it relates situations to others that may have been worse.
One is required to create a confidential account and answer the questions. Afterward, a report is
generated that informs one of how the occurrence relates to other situations (Gracia et al., 2015).
This is rated in a scale of 1-10. This tool is widely used in assessing domestic violence
Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment
This assessment tool is designed to aid professionals in calculating how a man who
assaulted his lady partner ranks among other men with similar incidences. It views the possibility
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of the man assaulting a female partner again. There are 13 items that each obtain a score of 0 or
1.the final score, therefore, gives the outcome and predicts the likelihood of Assault that comes to
police attention.
The Danger Assessment
This tool helps abused people determine the danger level of being murdered by his or her
partner. There are two parts of the tool, which are; a calendar that is essential in assessing the
frequency and severity of abuse (Gracia et al., 2015). It also helps in increasing the victim's
consciousness and reduce the denial and reducing the abuse. Additionally, the tool has a 20-item
scoring instrument that has yes or no responses that help in establishing the risk factors linked with
intimate partner homicide.
Adverse childhood Experience Quiz
These questions help one establish various types of neglect, abuse, and other events
suggestive of a rough childhood. Studies indicate that the greater the number of adverse childhood
experiences, the higher the risk of negative effects on children, such as health and behavior
outcomes. Therefore, this tool is equally essential when conducting a domestic violence
assessment.
Stalking and Harassment Assessment and Risk Profile (SHARP)
This involves a free and confidential assessment done online for 15 minutes. The
participants, therefore, receive their results in summary form in about a minute after completing
the assessment (Gracia et al., 2015). It also offers options that the participant may consider to
improve their safety. This tool is essential for both the professionals assisting the affected and the
victims as well.
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It is essential for churches to look for resources in the community to help those who are
affected by domestic violence get out of it. However, before identifying the required resources, the
religious leader should first assess and ask questions about the abuse and the lethality of the
situation. It is important to note that the kind of abuse can change or escalate; thus, the church
should carry out the assessment just once (Zust et al., 2017). The assessment should be an ongoing
process throughout the abused recovery journey. The church can offer emotional and spiritual
support to the victims (Zust et al., 2017). The Bible is against divorce, and therefore religious
leaders should look for better ways of solving the problem without necessarily divorcing.
However, in cases where it is difficult to solve the issue, court hearings may be helpful and have
a legal divorce.
Intervention for Perpetrators
Domestic violence offenders are exhaustingly challenging to treat, particularly in cases of
history with mental disorder and complicated life history. A lot of offenders are either witnesses
of violence or were the victims of abuse, thereby developing borderline antisocial and narcissistic
tendencies (Babcock et al., 2016). The treatment should reduce the likelihood of a repeat offense
there improving quality of life. The most common form of intervention is the arresting of
perpetrators, thereby preventing violence. The two frequently used treatment models are the use
of cognitive-behavioral therapy and feminist socio-cultural therapy (Cannon, 2016). In the King
James Bible, 1611, Isiah 1:17, people are encouraged to seek justice and correct various
oppressions. The Bible reinforces the application of justice and the eradication of oppression.
Psychotherapeutic therapy dwells on an individual's violence causes such as trauma, deficits, and
psychopathology. Psychoeducation treatment involves the use of feminist theory such that the
main idea is a patriarchal ideology that encourages men to take the lead and control the family
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(Cannon, 2016). This ideology is also supported in the King James Bible, 1611, 1 peter 3:7 states
that husbands should understand their wives, showing great honor to the wife.
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Treatment
There are various treatment protocols for the treatment of mental health issues caused by
intimate partner violence. The issue with domestic violence is that victims are at risk of a variety
of negative abuse. Research has identified that there is a correlation between domestic violence
and maladaptive personality patterns. The intervention process affects different aspects of
domestic violence such as revictimization, trauma processing, lifestyle and safety, and treatment
applications. The interventions programs in focus dwell on intensity, and context to change
cognition of a victim. The intervention process is usually done in prenatal clinics care or family
violence clinics (Babcock et al., 2016). Various medical interventions address resource use and
safety behaviors, such as shelter-based and shelter services. The gain of valuable skills such as
stress management, emotional control, and assertive communication is beneficial to survivors
(Cannon, 2016). These treatment procedures may not result in full eradication of the issues or
abolish an unpleasant situation, but it gives the survivors the skills to cope with the situation
effectively. The most efficacious method is the use of Cognitive Behavioral therapy for survivors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This treatment therapy encompasses various strategies, which include the learning to think
of something different (Cognitive techniques) and skill-building to practice new thoughts, thereby
making behavioral changes. The therapy runs on several days a week, ranging from several months
to a few weeks (Jensen et al., 2014). It also involves the use of homework, which helps in placing
newly learned concepts into practice. It majorly focuses on the repetitive recalling of trauma for
survivors to enable a reduction of emotional responses to these triggers.
The model includes employing techniques such as psychoeducation concerning stress and
PTSD management and providing exposure through homework, trauma-related talks, and
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watching of videos related to intimate partner violence. The survivors are also taken through
various components such as the history of traumatic experiences, guilt resulting from trauma such
as effects on children, possibility of revictimization, and probability of contact with the abuser
(Dattilio & Epstein, 2016). These modules are meant to address issues on reframing defeatist
beliefs and erroneous cognitions that help in the persistence of trauma symptoms (Goodman et al.,
2015). Self-advocacy and assertiveness coaching will result in the success of issues about
perpetrator visitation and custody issues. These sessions typically last 90-minutes for various
periods, depending on the magnitude of the trauma experienced. This treatment strategy is useful
for individuals who have PTSD symptoms, guilt arising from abuse, no substance abuse, and
survivors without a history of bipolar and schizophrenia disorder (Jensen et al., 2014). This
treatment is effective with women who have been out of an abusive relationship for longer.
The therapeutic empowerment program also has a 60-90 minutes duration for specific
sessions and occurred at an interval of two times a week for a period of eight weeks. This treatment
model involves three steps that are developing a sense of self-care and restoration of safety,
mourning and remembering, and finally reconnection. The treatment does not include exposure
and prioritizes on the women's safety, focusing entirely on empowerment (Goodman et al., 2015).
The treatment is centered on the individual need of the survivors with regards to their choices and
assist them in achieving their goals. Afterward, the sessions focus on the establishment of
behavioral and cognition skills to deal with triggers and PTSD symptoms (Cohen et al., 2018). The
women are also taught how to manage and address revictimization, re-occurrence of issues, and
dealing with grief.
The next model revolves around survivors regardless of whether they are still in an abusive
relationship or not. It focuses on raising moods and self-esteem, the impacts of psychoeducation
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on domestic violence survivors, and problem-solving skills for survivor's self-dependence. This
treatment strategy also employs diaphragmatic breathing as a coping mechanism for hyper-
alertness (Jensen et al., 2014). The treatment plans are meant to be delivered within a span of eight
90 minutes sittings. They also focus on communication skills centered around self-expression and
anger. This model is effective for women who live with their abusers.
The subsequent model focuses on feminist analysis of domestic violence through the
building of skills rather than psychological healing. Is has seven stages for the production of
effective results. They consist of a full assessment of safety situations, establishing a harmonious
and close relationship, assessing the extent of the problem, investigating feelings, inspecting
previous coping mechanisms, implementation of the cognitive restoration plan, and provision of
follow-up sessions occurring at an interval of three months (Cohen et al., 2018). The therapy
sessions last 90 minutes at an interval of once weekly for a period of eight weeks. Medical
interventions offer a range of treatment options that incorporate therapeutic counseling and
advocacy programs (Dattilio & Epstein, 2016). All these treatment models have been shown to be
effective in the reduction of depression severity.
Apart from cognitive-based treatment, various interventions are culturally informed
through group therapy empowerment; feminist-oriented counseling, social support groups, and
grief counseling, women shelters where women relations are fostered where positive reimaging is
done to ensure the full recognition of their value and skills (Dattilio & Epstein, 2016). These
interventions remove the powerlessness experienced by women in domestic violence scenarios.
They reduce the problem of revictimization, making the interventions effective. Typically, the rate
of revictimization happens about 30% in the initial six months. The rate of incidences for domestic
violence is 31%-41% when a reevaluation is done for the victims six months to 3 years after the
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treatment. Cognitive psychotherapy and psychodynamic approaches are useful in the reduction
and avoidance of trauma-related symptoms (Cohen et al., 2018). These treatment models are
essential for effective treatment regimes.
Conclusion
Domestic violence is an abhorrent act that seeks to eliminate the power of the victim,
reducing then into broken individuals full of anger, spite, and regret. However, according to the
King James Bible, 1611, in psalms 56, God is considered to be on the side of the oppressed. Jesus
teaches us in King James Bible, 1611, Luke 6:29 that we should resist violence and resort to peace.
Abuse and oppression of domestic violence victims are against the teachings of the scripture and
is relatable to the interventions put in place to policing of violence-related cases. The burden on
society due to mental health issues such as posttraumatic traumatic stress disorder and depression
is heavy. These issues are grave and should be thoroughly investigated, mitigated, and treated. The
church is an integral part of the community and is usually the first identifier of abuse (Zust et al.,
2017). Clergymen should endeavor to work with health Medicare professionals to have a holistic
view of making the family space safe for both victim and perpetrator (Bent-Goodley et al., 2015).
The more prolonged and more violent, the relationship must be, the harder the treatment. Domestic
violence is not only a public health issue but a societal issue as the act is perverse, which leads to
a recurring process. Any kind of violence in the Bible is condemned, painting a clear picture on
the stand of God on matters of intimate partner violence. In the King James Bible, 1611, Ephesians
5:25 states that men should love their wives, similar to how Jesus loved the church. It is then
essential for an approach that would see the gaining of total control of individual life. There should
be public sensitization on matters of intimate partner violence to reduce the stigma of affected
women reporting domestic violence incidents. Abuse can affect cross-generational ages and can
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last a lifespan, thereby causing extreme harm to society (Dattilio & Epstein, 2016). The
enhancement of social and community environments improves the quality of light of an individual,
subsequently reducing stress and PTSD. Therefore, the church is a vital element in a society
desperate to curb domestic violence.
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