This research was brought to our attention by a DA Champ working within the Methodist Church. Read the introduction below, and view the survey here.
The University of Bristol is carrying out research to better understand the relationship between faith/religion and coercive and controlling behaviour (‘coercive control’ for short, please see definitions below). This project has been granted permission by a University of Bristol Research Ethics Committee and is led by Professor Marianne Hester OBE. It is funded by the Oak Foundation.
We are seeking input from people who are over the age of 18 who have experienced or witnessed – at any age – coercive control in a faith context, in the UK. We would like to hear from people of all or no faiths, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnicities and regardless of immigration status. Coercive controlling behaviour is experienced by many people, particularly in domestic abuse relationships. We are seeking information specifically on experiences of coercive control within a faith context and provide some examples below.
Please be assured that this research is not seeking to single out any particular faith or religion for critique. Rather, we are trying to better understand how faith and religion can be used as a context or tool in the exercise of coercive control, and also how they can be a resource or avenue for support.
We recognise that individuals may find it easier to discuss their experiences, rather than write them down. If you would like to be contacted by the researchers to set up an online or phone interview, please still provide your consent to the survey on page 2 and provide some information about yourself on page 3. You can then on page 4 indicate that you would prefer to participate in an online or phone interview and will be directed to the end of the survey where you can provide and email and contact name.
Visit the survey to participate here.