Centre for Research on Faith, Masculinity and Domestic Violence Responses

The Centre draws attention to the intersection of faith, masculinity and domestic violence, recognising that religious stipulations can influence gender socialisation and male rationalisations and experiences of marriage, intimate relationships and domestic violence in both positive and negative ways. Our work builds on research previously conducted in contexts such as Ethiopia and Zambia with male populations, a demographic usually underrepresented in domestic violence and gender-based violence programmes and responses. We work to understand better the relationship between faith and masculinities and develop responses engaging men and faith leaders.

As a Centre, we are especially interested in:

• The ambiguous role of religion as both a risk factor and a protective factor in domestic abuse experiences, varying across individuals and cultural contexts,
• The potential of religious role models to foster positive masculine behaviour and resilience against highly rigid, patriarchal or toxic gender normative systems,
• The role of spirituality and religious spiritual mediation in men’s development of emotional competence and healthy romantic partnerships,
• The use of pornography and its implications for male abusive behaviour.

Centre Lead, Members and Contributors