Troubled homes: Pastoral responses to violent and abusive families

Abstract

This article seeks to address five areas of concern for pastoral ministry with families which are violent or abusive. The topics covered are legal responsibilities, recognition of conditions which promote violence or abuse within homes, the role of cultural differences in assessing family violence and abuse, the potential for disruption in cases of reported abuse and neglect, and dealing with issues of blame and responsibility. Five “strategies” or suggestions for ministering to these families within a congregation are offered at the end of the article.