Domestic Violence in Faith/Spiritual Multicultural Communities

Providing a Platform for Critical Discussion

The Centre for Islamic Thought & Education, University of South Australia invites you to the Domestic Violence in Faith/Spiritual Based Multicultural Communities Symposium 2017.

This one-day domestic violence symposium explores an array of issues surrounding domestic violence in faith/spiritual based multicultural communities in the Australian context, and responses to address the needs of these communities. It provides a platform for discussion where domestic violence experts, practitioners, service providers, policy makers, faith/spiritual based leaders, community leaders and researchers can openly discuss how the needs of faith communities can be addressed and what role faith plays on domestic violence in these communities.

For many victims of domestic violence, the symbolic aspects of faith, spirituality, prayer, meditation, and scriptures provide consolation, purpose, and a sense of control in everyday life. However, faith can also be used or misused to justify abusive behaviours or uphold strong DV attitudes to induce shame, guilt and distress within victims.

Program Sessions

• Session 1: Role of Faith/Spiritual based communities in Domestic Violence Responses
• Session 2: Faith/Spiritual based perspectives on Domestic Violence
• Session 3: Current trends in responses to Domestic Violence for Faith/Spiritual based communities
• Session 4: Challenges faced by Service providers/practitioners when responding to Domestic Violence in Faith/Spiritual based communities
• INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: Trauma & Healing for Faith-based Communities
• Facilitated Roundtable Discussions on Current Trends & Themes on Domestic Violence in Faith/Spiritual based communities

Keynote Speaker

Dr Nada Ibrahim is a keynote speaker and the coordinator of this event. She is a Senior Research Fellow at CITE with expertise in Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) in the Australian Muslim community and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. Her research interests include identifying risk-factors associated with DFV perpetration and victimisation. Muslim DFV victims' experiences with the Australian criminal justice system, developing a gender relations framework based on the Qur'an, fostering healthy family relationships, community development, Islamic psychology, mental health, Islamic family law, disadvantaged Muslim women's issues, and broader Islamic issues. She is currently in the process of establishing some strength-based community-related projects that address psychological/social/religious needs of victims, abusers, children, men and women to build healthy family relationships whilst empowering the Muslim community. Part of this process also involves equipping Imams/leaders, wider community, service providers, police and the justice system with culturally appropriate training that would better facilitate a community coordinated response to domestic and family violence.

Full Program

To view the full detailed program of the symposium please click here

To view the Program Abstracts and Speakers bio click here