Clergy Receive Training to Assist Domestic Violence Victims

A recent survey of Protestant pastors showed that nearly three-quarters of them drastically underestimated the number of congregants who may be dealing with domestic violence issues.

The survey was commissioned by faith-based organizations Sojourners and IMA World Health to determine the clergy's level of knowledge about incidents of domestic and sexual violence, and how they responded.

Because how to address the issue is not as a rule taught in seminaries, many pastors are left not knowing the best way to discuss it from the pulpit and when members come to them for help, according to Emily Esworthy, of IMA World Health.