“‘Anything With Two Heads Is a Monster’: Religious Leaders’ Perspectives on Marital Equality and Domestic Violence”

Religious leaders from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths were interviewed about their understanding of the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and religion. The present article explores the leaders’ understanding of how relationship dynamics relate to IPV, focusing particularly on concepts of equality and submission. On the whole, the leaders were concerned that religious prescriptions of disproportionate power, such as the teachings of male leadership and female submission, could be interpreted to support IPV practices. Tensions between leaders’ desire to salvage marriages and to protect victims are explored.