Rhode Island Muslims Tackle Domestic Violence through Education

The Healthy Families Initiative (HFI), a family well-being program and healthy marital relationships, under the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement (RICMA), has been swiftly breaking ground in the Muslim community by enlisting the support of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV), and drawing on existing Islamic resources available.

Kathleen Taylor, a domestic violence survivor and co-chair of the initiative, recently met with Deborah DeBare, Executive Director of RICADV, to reach out and establish a working relationship with the coalition. Identifying the challenges faith-based communities face when dealing with domestic violence in their communities, and gathering information on the programs and resources available to victims and abusers by the agencies of the Coalition was only the beginning to this alliance.

To demystify some of the stigma surrounding domestic violence in the Muslim community, the Healthy Families Initiative is presenting a three-part educational series entitled: “Garments for One Another”, which includes the showing of the DVD by the same title. The DVD was produced in collaboration with the Faith Trust Institute by the Peaceful Families Project, a national organization that promotes awareness for Muslim leaders and communities on the Islamic perspective on domestic violence. It deals with the basics of domestic violence and the religious backdrop on the forbiddance of abuse. In the DVD, prominent scholars such as Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, and a myriad of professionals in the field such as Salma Abuguidieri, clearly explain the ins and outs of how and why abuse takes place in some Muslim homes.

On Saturday, August 8, 2009, a diverse crowd of Muslims from the Rhode Island community attended the first part of the “Garments for One Another” educational series at the Islamic Center of Rhode Island (ICRI) in Providence. A panel Q&A session and discussion immediately followed, led by Lucy Rios, Director of Prevention, RICADV; Sister Mariam Mateen, Shelter Manager of the Elizabeth Buffun Chace House; Brother Abdul-latif Sackor, Assistant Imam of ICRI and Muslim Chaplain with the MA Department of Corrections; and Jamilah White, Parole Officer with the RI Department of Corrections.

Lucy Rios opened the discussion by giving a brief introduction about the RICADV, the member agencies, and the unique services each provides. She explained that RI faith-based communities face similar challenges when dealing with Domestic Violence, and stressed the importance of prevention as a means to help the cause.

Sister Mariam Mateen answered the question on what happens when someone calls the 800-number for help. She explained that a screening is conducted during calls, to learn the demographics of the victim, and assess the level of safety and nature of the violence. She expounded on the nature of services available to victims and their children, which include support groups, counseling, services for the elderly, and children programs. In addition, Sister Mateen also shed some light on what accommodations shelters provide for Muslims in their facilities. Surprisingly, shelters are very accepting of religious observances by Muslims, and have in the past accommodated victims’ needs for a place to pray and halal foods, amongst other practices.

Sister Jamilah White addressed questions dealing with offenders, restraining and no-contact orders, and the legal system. She expressed her concern for victims when requests to drop no-contact orders are presented to her. As a parole officer, her responsibility is to ensure paroled batterers successfully complete intervention programs to eliminate the likelihood of repeated offences.

Assistant Imam Abdul-latif Sackor focused on questions dealing with the Islamic perspective. When asked what happens when someone approaches Muslim community leaders with concerns or complaints of domestic violence, he stated the dire need of training for leaders to recognize, and effectively address domestic violence in the community. He concurred that leaders have the Islamic knowledge in support of zero tolerance but are unprepared to practically implement protocols to assess and deal with domestic violence cases.

Overall, the Healthy Families Initiative has been gaining tremendous momentum since its inception back in June 2009. Still in its infancy, the Healthy Families Initiative aspires to promote healthy relationships, and be a resources hub for services available for those experiencing domestic violence in the Muslim community.