Domestic violence is an ancient as the family unit itself. According to the American Medical Association, one quarter of American women will be abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Ministers can help care for these victims. Loving and sensitive support can make a tremendous difference to a survivor as she struggles with the long and difficult process of healing and retaining trust in herself and others. Often, however, pastoral caregivers possess the same misconceptions about domestic violence as does the uninformed public. Al Miles addresses the issues related to inadequate pastoral response to this pervasive problem. Writing from interviews with victims and perpetrators and drawing on years of research and consulting/lecturing experience, he explores the dynamics of abusive relationships and the role which clergy members take to heal this painful situation. Fortress Press.
