“There is no domestic violence in the Muslim Community.” This is a statement we often hear from members of our community unfortunately. But it is far from true. This cultural need to overlook abuse so as not to besmirch the family’s “honour” leaves many women without support, having no one they can turn to. This not only affects their physical, mental and emotional health, living through abuse daily, but it has insurmountable effects on children who witness this abuse. According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, children who witness violence in the home have twice the rate of psychiatric disorders as children from non-violent homes.
The reality is that domestic violence transcends culture, religion, race and ethnicity, according to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
Data from Nisa Homes demonstrates that 50% of residents seeking help are escaping domestic violence, severe enough that they don’t feel safe in their own homes. This number correlates directly with the findings of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) that “between 22 and 57 percent of homelessness among women is caused by domestic violence.”
These are women who have little to no support from people around them, including family. These are women who were afraid to say anything lest they “destroy the family honor” or “rip their family apart” — all for the price of their own safety and sanity. Additionally, we’ve found that the majority of residents at Nisa Homes are facing multiple issues at the same time, making the journey even more difficult. Not only are they dealing with the emotional, physical, psychological and financial aftermath of domestic violence, but they are also often immigrants or refugees to Canada trying to figure out the immigration system and get status. Additionally, of course, they are dealing with poverty and homelessness, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and at times Islamophobic incidents when trying to access support, housing or employment.
At Nisa Homes, not only do we provide them with shelter and food, we help them address these multiple layers of obstacles and roadblocks. Together we work on not only surviving, but thriving!
