title: "Walking Between the Raindrops": Intimate Partner Violence in the Ultra-Orthodox Society in Israel From Social Workers' Perspective.
abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) in faith-based communities has unique characteristics that social workers should consider. This qualitative study examines how social workers describe their encounter with abused Jewish ultra-Orthodox women. In-depth interviews were conducted among 24 social workers (one man, 23 women: four were ultra-Orthodox, 19 were modern Orthodox, and one was secular); all respondents worked in the public sector, welfare offices, and non-profit organizations in ultra-Orthodox communities. Three major themes emerged: (a) "There is no guardian against unchastity": Is there no safe haven when it comes to domestic violence?; (b) "I'm not religious enough, not disciplined enough": describing the experience of violence in the therapeutic encounter; and (c) "walking between the raindrops": culturally sensitive social work in the context of IPV. Findings and implications are discussed in the context of cultural sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Tova
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Band-Winterstein
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007557:Israel; D007599:Judaism / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000068217:Social Workers / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: battered women; domestic violence and cultural contexts; spirituality and violence