RT Article T1 A Phenomenological Study: Black Clergy Leaders' Response to Violence against Women JF Pastoral psychology VO 67 IS 4 SP 429 OP 442 A1 Tedder, Milicia A. A1 Smith, Delores E. LA English PB Springer Science Business Media B. V. YR 2018 UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1584758066 AB Violence against women and religious participation are two phenomena that are pervasive across many African American communities. African American women experience intimate partner violence at a rate higher than the majority of racial groups in the United States. Although many African American women highly depend on their faith and church to navigate their experiences with intimate partner violence, scant attention has been given to the role that Black clergy leaders have in responding to intimate partner violence against women. The current study utilized phenomenological methodology to understand better Black American clergy leaders' responses to intimate partner violence against women. Findings from clergy leaders' narratives suggested that they serve primarily four roles when responding to intimate partner violence against women: spiritual advisor, pastoral care/counselor, compassionate leaders, and uninformed responders. Overall, these themes indicate that although African American clergy acknowledge the prevalence of intimate partner violence within their communities, and are trained in pastoral counseling, they lack knowledge and training to respond to intimate partner violence. Discussion centers on the need for clergy to be trained in the area of intimate partner violence response given their position within the church. The results in this study can help clergy leaders understand the basics of intimate partner violence and identify gaps in their practices with abused women. K1 African Americans K1 Black Americans K1 Black Church K1 Intimate Partner Violence K1 Pastoral Counseling K1 Phenomenology DO 10.1007/s11089-018-0821-5