Citation

Simister JG, Kowalewska G. Psychology 2016; 7(13): 1624-1644.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Scientific Research Publishing)

DOI

10.4236/psych.2016.713155

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reports evidence on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), violence against women by husband or male partner, based on household surveys from many countries. A woman's risk of experiencing domestic violence varies, within a country and between countries, for many reasons. This paper focuses on religion: in particular, comparing Catholics with Protestants. It reports evidence that Catholic women have a higher risk of GBV than Protestant women. A possible explanation for this higher risk is investigated: the ban on divorce by the Catholic Church. Household surveys confirm that Catholics are less likely than Protestants to divorce. Divorce is a possible escape-route for a woman abused by her husband; preventing divorce keeps many women trapped in marriage to a violent husband

Language: en