Technology-enhanced intervention for intimate partner violence against women: engaging Korean American religious leaders

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant yet under-researched problem among Korean American immigrant women, who often underutilise formal services due to stigma and cultural barriers. Within this context, religious leaders are influential figures and frequently serve as the first sources of support, positioning them to play a crucial role in IPV prevention and response. Guided by a realist evaluation framework, this study examined how, for whom, and under what conditions an online intervention equipped Korean American religious leaders to address IPV in real-world settings. Religious leaders (n = 100) from two metropolitan areas in the United States completed a culturally-tailored virtual case simulation and post-intervention survey. Findings indicate that the intervention enhanced participants’ self-efficacy and intentions to act. Participants reported high satisfaction and perceived usefulness, with time constraints identified as the primary barrier to engagement. Equipping religious leaders with culturally grounded tools may strengthen community-based pathways to safety and support for survivors.