The Centre of Theological Inquiry (CTI) at Princeton is currently in the midst of a five-year programme focusing on Religion and Global Concerns. Each fall and spring semester leading scholars gather to think together about different global concerns. For 2018-2019, the focus is on religion and violence.
Three of the scholars in Fall 2018 focused on religion and sexual violence. Elisabet Le Roux (sociology), Louise Du Toit (philosophy and feminist ethics), and David Tombs (theology) brought a multi-disciplinary approach to their conversations. In addition to undertaking their own individual research projects they collaborated in writing a feminist reflection on victim hierarchies in conflict-related sexual violence.
CTI’s Podcast, ‘Theology Matters’ hosted by Joshua Mauldin, the CTI Deputy Director, provides a space for the work at CTI to be shared around the world. You can listen to the interviews below by clicking on the title of each.
Reflections on doing empirical research on religion, religious leaders and sexual violence
Dr Elisabet Le Roux is Senior Researcher in the Unit for Religion and Development Research, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University. Her research looks at the intersection between faith and development, particularly in relation to gender issues. She has Masters degrees in both Translation Studies and Theology, and her PhD in Sociology was on sexual violence against women during armed conflict and the role of African churches. She has carried out her research in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Sexual Violence, Colonial Racism and Political Transition in South Africa
Professor Louise Du Toit is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Stellenbosch University. Her main research area is feminist philosophy, particularly in European and African traditions. She focuses on a range of topics, including sexual violence, political philosophy, philosophy and literature, legal philosophy, environmental philosophy, and feminist philosophy of religion. She is currently involved in several international research collaborations with colleagues in Europe and Africa.
Recognising Jesus as a victim of sexual violence:Developing a faith-based response to sexual violence.Professor David Tombs is Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues at the University of Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand, and a Research Associate at the University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. He has a longstanding interest in contextual and liberation theologies. His current research focusses on religion, violence, and peace, particularly Christian responses to gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and torture. He is originally from the United Kingdom and has previously worked in London, Belfast, and Dublin. David is an associate member of the Shiloh Project.
