| Message about Domestic Violence |
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Message about Domestic Violence and Mental Health from Muslim Mental Health, Inc. Background Domestic violence is one of the most pervasive forms of violence against women and it exists across all racial, religious, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic groups. This type of violence encompasses verbal, emotional, mental, sexual, physical, and financial abuse, including intimidation, exploitation, and/or threatening behavior. Women are the highest reported victims, but others can be victims of aggression, exploitation and abuse, including men, the elderly, children and adolescents. The comparably higher rate of reported incidents by women may account for the possibility that men, children, or the elderly may under-report their own assaults. In the United States, abuse is usually associated with immigration status, family isolation, lack of community ties and friendships, and institutional affiliations such as a weak social support network, detachment from the social environment, language barriers or lack of culturally-appropriate services. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS UNACCEPTABLE IN ANY COMMUNITY OR SOCIETY AND IT IS UNEQUIVOCALLY UNACCEPTABLE IN ISLAM. Perpetrators of violence may inappropriately justify their dysfunction in a variety of ways, including through culture and religion. Unfortunately, their rationalization may even convince victims that they deserved to be beaten and may contribute to the barriers to and under-utilization of basic services.A bibliography is available (see Section V) at: http://ssrdqst.rfmh.org/cecc/index.php?q=node/26 What professionals can do It may be important to collaborate with professionals from various backgrounds including imams, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, since they have the knowledge and expertise in dealing with this ever-pervasive social ill. Muslims and imams in general have traditionally focused their attention on keeping the family together and on upholding the reputation and the privacy of the family at the possible expense of any harm that may befall the individual woman. But as many imams in the United States are becoming more educated as to the public health issue of domestic violence, their attitudes are changing. In certain communities, imams and religious leaders are the major referring agents of Muslim families to Muslim mental health professionals. Although the priority will almost always be the preservation of a sustainable healthy family, there may be times that the professional will encourage separation and even divorce. Support and encouragement from an experienced trusted Muslim leader in such circumstances is critical. To improve the general understanding of the problem of domestic violence, to raise more empathetic awareness of such physical abuse particularly within Muslim communities, and to provide hope for reducing future violence, it is important to explore potentially contributing factors and provide some justification for EARLY INTERVENTION BEFORE people escalate into violence. Mental health professionals and other service providers should carefully examine the following factors: (a) Social factors such as acute and chronic life stage stresses, culture, traditional beliefs, immigration, barriers to services, and prior exposure to traumatic life experiences; (b) Psychological factors such as low self-esteem, a history of being a victim of violence or witnessing domestic violence as a child, being humiliated, lack of emotional awareness or psychological appreciation of emotions and behaviors; and (c) Biological factors such as substances that disinhibit behavior, poor impulse control, and underlying untreated psychiatric illnesses, disorders or symptoms. In addition, the presence of mental health issues or symptoms of mental health issues can be one of the first signs of broader social or community problems. What the community can do for women At the community level, Muslims can work towards reducing domestic violence incidents against women through the development of educational programs designed to change cultural attitudes and beliefs toward violence against women. These programs may empower women at different levels by raising their awareness of the available services in the community, enhancing their knowledge about their legal and social rights, as well as about the way existing services operate. Muslim women may be concerned about the degree of cultural sensitivity of non-Muslim professionals, or the existing services that are mainly designed to address the needs of non-Muslim families. When seeking help, they should be encouraged to communicate their intent, goals and concerns about treatment and also have present a Muslim chaplain or trusted religious leader if they desire. Due to the treatment of Muslims in the media as well as intense surveillance of American Muslims post-9/11, many American Muslims, including women, mistrust American public institutions. Fear of losing the primary provider, deportation, and separating individuals within the family unit may also contribute to the reluctance of Muslim women to speak out. This process can be advanced through local and general public education projects. Resources in the New York City area for the victim or concerned individuals Individuals are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources describe from the Turning Point website: |