Pastors and Domestic and Sexual Violence Survey of 1,000 Protestant Pastors Sponsored by: Sojourners and IMA World Health
2 Methodology The telephone survey of Protestant pastors was conducted May 7-31, 2014 The survey was sponsored by Sojourners and IMA World Health The calling list was randomly drawn from a list of all Protestant churches in three size categories. Up to 10 calls were made to reach a sampled phone number Each interview was conducted with the senior pastor, minister or priest of the church called
3 Methodology Continued Responses were weighted to reflect the size and geographic distribution of Protestant churches The completed sample is 1,000 phone interviews The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed +3.1% Margins of error are higher in sub-groups
Survey Responses
3 in 4 pastors know family, friends, or church members who ve experienced domestic or sexual violence 5 74% 2 24% 2% Yes No Don't Know Q18: Has someone you know among family, friends, or church members experienced domestic or sexual violence such as physical violence, sexual assault, rape, or child sexual abuse? n=991
6 11% of pastors have personally experienced domestic or sexual violence 89% 2 11% Yes No Q19: Have you personally experienced a form of domestic or sexual violence such as physical violence, sexual assault, rape, or child sexual abuse?
7 Most opt for outside intervention to resolve acts of domestic/sexual violence that occur within a home 83% 2 Through outside intervention 7% Within the family 1 Don't Know Q20: If an act of domestic or sexual violence occurs within a home such as physical violence, child abuse, or marital rape, should this primarily be resolved through outside intervention or within the family? (Select One)
8 Pastors first response to someone disclosing on-going violence in their marriage is seeking an expert 82% 2 Seek support from domestic violence experts in the community 12% Work with their spouse to improve the relationship 6% Don't Know Q21: If someone disclosed to you that they were experiencing on-going domestic or sexual violence in their marriage, which of the following two actions would you counsel that person to take first? (Select One)
9 Few pastors are very familiar with local resources that address domestic and sexual violence 48% 2 27% 16% 8% 1% Very familiar Familiar Somewhat familiar Not at all familiar Don't Know Q22: How familiar are you with your local resources that address domestic and sexual violence? (Select One).
The majority of pastors speak to their church about domestic or sexual violence once a year or more 10 2 2% 4% Several times a month About once a month 28% Several times a year 22% About once a year 33% 1 1% Rarely Never Don't Know Q23: How often do you speak to your church in sermons or large group messages about domestic or sexual violence? (Select One).
11 Reasons why pastors do speak about domestic or sexual violence in their church It is a problem in our congregation 25% It is a problem in our local community 72% I have seen its impact first-hand I am aware resources are available that can help 61% 61% I have been trained in domestic violence issues 23% None of these Don't know 1% 6% 2 Q25: Which of the following, if any, are reasons why you do speak about domestic or sexual violence in your church? (Select all that apply) n=566
6 in 10 pastors say more than 2 of adults and children in the U.S. population have been victims of domestic or sexual violence 12 2 2% 4% Less than 5% Between 6 and 1 18% Between 11 and 2 28% Between 21 and 3 24% Between 31 and 5 1 More than 5 14% Don't Know Q28: What percentage of adults and children in the US population have been victims of domestic or sexual violence?
1 in 6 pastors estimate more than 2 of adults and children in their congregation have been victims of domestic violence 13 37% 2 Less than 5% 21% Between 6 and 1 17% Between 11 and 2 1 Between 21 and 3 5% Between 31 and 5 2% More than 5 9% Don't Know Q29: What percentage of adults and children in your congregation would you estimate have been victims of domestic violence?
4 in 10 pastors agree their seminary training provided them with sufficient resources to address situations of domestic violence 14 2 1 3 26% 19% 15% Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree I did not attend seminary 1% Don't Know Q30: Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements: As a pastor, my seminary training provided me with sufficient resources to address situations of domestic violence.
8 in 10 pastors would take action to reduce domestic and sexual violence if they had training and resources 15 37% 44% 2 11% Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree 4% 5% Strongly disagree Don't Know Q33: Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements: If I had training and resources, I would take action to reduce domestic and sexual violence. (Select One)
The majority of pastors agree they do not have sufficient training to address situations of domestic or sexual violence 16 39% 29% 2 13% 18% Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree 1% Don't Know Q37: Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements: As a pastor, I do not have sufficient training to address situations of domestic or sexual violence. (Select One)
17 Responses pastors have used when dealing with domestic and sexual violence situations Provided marriage or couples counseling 62% Conducted a safety risk assessment with the victim 31% Provided private counseling with abuser 43% Provided a referral to a service agency 7 Other 7% I have not dealt with domestic violence situations 15% Don't know 1% 2 Q38: Of the following responses, which have you used when dealing with domestic and sexual violence situations? (Select all that apply)
Pastors and Domestic and Sexual Violence Survey of 1,000 Protestant Pastors