Date of Award

2-20-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Stuart Cocanougher, DMin

Second Advisor

Sheila Tolbert, DMin

Third Advisor

Martina Hagler, DMin

Abstract

The Women’s Leadership and Resource Center states, “Gender-based violence against Black women has always existed in the US. From historical accounts of chattel slavery to analyses of present-day society, Black women have endured multiple forms of violence including labor …, sexual …, medical … and … exploitation.”32 This dissertation will provide important research about gender-based violence against Black women and girls and will conclude with Christ-centered approaches for transformative holistic wellbeing. Do laws that prevent violence enable more violence? In the fact sheet published by the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, it is noted that, “Experiences of abuse do not end with incarceration. Women’s loss of bodily autonomy while in prison—from strip searches to being under constant surveillance—echoes their experiences of harm in their homes and communities. Black women and girls are also subjected to gender-based violence while incarcerated.”33

What about violence in biblical texts such as in Genesis 34 involving Dinah, Tamar’s rape in 2 Samuel 13:1-22, or the concubine woman whose name is not mentioned in Judges 19-20 who was gang raped? The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) helps in understanding the varying degrees of violence, in that, “Violent victimization includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.” Table one in this report details victimizations including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, stranger violence, violent crime with an injury, and violent crime with a weapon. The ministry opportunity will serve humanity, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or religion.

32 UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, University of Illinois Chicago. n.d. Gender-Based Violence against Black Women | Women’s Leadership and Resource Center | University of Illinois Chicago (accessed October 7, 2024).

33 National Black Women’s Justice Institute. “Black Women & Girls, Gender-Based Violence, and Pathways to Criminalization & Incarceration.” National Black Women’s Justice Institute, 2022: 2.

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