Building bridges: The experiences and perceptions of service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in England

Abstract

Background Research is scarce on the experiences of service providers such as social workers, psychotherapists, managers of women's aid agencies, and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy (clergy) who support African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence in England. This thesis aims to bring to light the experiences of service providers and clergy in supporting these women in order to provide insights for practice, policy development, and research. Methodology The researcher used interpretative phenomenological analysis through feminist intersectional theory. Remote, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from nine service providers and nine clergy in England. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed. Results Clergy understood intimate partner violence as an intersection of intimate partner violence, individual personality, and Christian and cultural beliefs around marriage and acculturation. They supported these women through listening and prayer, Christian counselling, raising awareness of intimate partner violence, referring them to service providers, and working with their spouses and other women in the church to support these women. Service providers acknowledged that Christianity is part of a woman's identity and used an intersectional approach to address her spiritual needs. Clergy reported a lack of adequate knowledge of intimate partner violence and collaboration with service providers, and service providers reported that the intersection of Christian, cultural, and structural factors hindered them from effectively addressing intimate partner violence. A guide for collaboration was created to facilitate their collaborative work. Conclusions Service providers and conservative Cameroonian and Nigerian clergy play a vital role in supporting African Christian women survivors of intimate partner violence. These findings indicate the need for clergy to have training on intimate partner violence, as well as a need for service providers and clergy to collaborate to provide holistic support to these women and the African Christian community.