Intimate Partner Violence and Cultural Competence: Considering the African American Church
Intimate partner violence exists in all communities, regardless of ethnic background, socio-economic status, age, sexual orientation, gender, etc. While there is a growing body of knowledge, more needs to be known about the presence and impact of intimate partner violence in African American communities, and more specifically, in African American communities of faith. This knowledge can provide social worker's with information that promotes culturally competent practice with this population.
This presentation explores the concept of cultural competence as it relates to domestic violence and intimate partner violence in African American faith communities. Results from work with and research conducted in African American faith communities are presented. Finally, a culturally sensitive model of intervention which evolved from the aforementioned work and research will is presented.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Define cultural competence, domestic violence and interpersonal violence.
2. Explain some factors related to domestic violence in African American communities and African American faith communities.
3. Understand and apply the S.T.A.R.T. model in African American communities of faith.
Kesslyn Brade Stennis received an MSW from Ohio State University, and an M.Div and Ph.D from Howard University. She also holds a certificate in Women's Studies, and has worked and researched within the African American faith communities for approximately 15 years. Currently, Kesslyn is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Bowie State University and part-time Chaplain at Georgetown University where she continues to provide academic and spiritual support for emerging scholars and world leaders.