Domestic violence attitudes and responses in UK ethnic minority and migrant communities and the role of religious and cultural influences: A qualitative study

The current paper presents findings from qualitative research on domestic violence and abuse (DVA) with Christians and Muslims from Ethiopian, Eritrean and Bangladeshi communities in the United Kingdom (UK). The study explored understandings of and attitudes towards DVA and responses that integrated cultural and religious establishments and resources in ethnic minority faith communities. Qualitative research was conducted with the help of community-based researchers. Three researchers conducted 16 interviews and one focus group discussion with eight participants (total n = 24). The study added to the existing evidence on barriers that DVA victims from ethnic minority faith communities face in migration contexts, adding insight into the complex interaction between norms and pressures at country of origin and conditions in the host society, and the role of religious beliefs in this relationship. The study also reinforced the significant role that religious establishments and mediators can play in domestic violence responses, but also their general unpreparedness to do so. Participants proposed that integrating religious institutions and resources in DVA responses would be an effective way forward.