Domestic violence and pastoral counselling

Abstract

This study investigates the consequences of domestic violence for the people who are subjected to this kind of abuse. South Africa has a high incidence of domestic abuse, along with a high crime rate in general. The study aims to contribute to pastoral counselling with people who have suffered domestic abuse. The approach of the study is to bring insights from the field of psychology into dialogue with insights from Scripture and spirituality in order to provide a counselling model for pastors who are often the first to be approached for help. The South African Domestic Violence Law is evaluated. The causes of domestic violence are analysed in order to clarify why it is specifically rampant in South Africa. Disturbances that result from domestic violence are described in order to provide a deeper understanding of the effects of domestic abuse that pastors will encounter in their practice. Two counselling models that are deemed useful to pastoral counselling with victims of domestic abuse are narrative therapy as developed by White and Epston and the Logotherapy of Victor Frankl. These models provide the counsellee with the prospect of hope and meaning of life for the future.