Gender-Based Violence and Christianity: Catholic Prevention of Divorce Traps Women in an Abusive Marriage

Type Journal Article - Psychology
Title Gender-Based Violence and Christianity: Catholic Prevention of Divorce Traps Women in an Abusive Marriage
Author(s)
Volume 7
Issue 13
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Page numbers 1624-1644
URL http://file.scirp.org/pdf/PSYCH_2016111416340534.pdf
Abstract
This paper reports evidence on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), violence against
women by husband or male partner, based on household surveys from many countries.
A woman’s risk of experiencing domestic violence varies, within a country and
between countries, for many reasons. This paper focuses on religion: in particular,
comparing Catholics with Protestants. It reports evidence that Catholic women have
a higher risk of GBV than Protestant women. A possible explanation for this higher
risk is investigated: the ban on divorce by the Catholic Church. Household surveys
confirm that Catholics are less likely than Protestants to divorce. Divorce is a possible
escape-route for a woman abused by her husband; preventing divorce keeps
many women trapped in marriage to a violent husband.

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