Abstract

Objective. The objective of this needs assessment is to examine clergy members' self-efficacy for prevention and intervention, experience, and interest in receiving formal training or a refresher in addressing intimate partner violence.

Methods. Using snowball sampling on Facebook, 210 clergy were recruited to participate in a 10-minute survey to assess their self-efficacy and experience in preventing and addressing intimate partner violence. They also indicated their interest in further formalized training and their preferred methodology for such training. The questionnaire was delivered through Qualtrics, a web-based surveying system.

Results. Most (79%) of the clergy surveyed have never received formal training for addressing intimate partner violence. Additionally, most respondents indicated that they felt slightly to moderately confident about performing surveyed prevention and intervention activities. Approximately 42% of respondents have never intervened in a situation involving IPV. Consistently, 87% - 92% of the clergy affirmed that they would be interested in formal training, or a refresher, in IPV prevention, identifying risk factors of IPV, effectively talking with both a victim and perpetrator of IPV, and community resources to help address IPV. Participants interested in further training indicated a preference for web- based interventions, whether a skills-based training or workshop (62%) or a continuing education class (55%).

Conclusion. A comprehensive IPV prevention program, informed by theory and designed to increase prevention and intervention self-efficacy, has the potential to enhance the frequency and quality of clergies’ response toward IPV victims and change the social norms that support violence and unequal treatment of women.