Domestic violence in Muslim marriages - a reality that must be addressed

Domestic violence in Muslim marriages - a reality that must be addressed

By Shahla Khan

The perfect couple

Infants and children in these families are our most vulnerable. Ten percent of victims are pregnant at the time of abuse and 10 percent report that their children had also been abused by the batterer. Dr. Aneesah Nadir of ISSA states that "the majority of battered women have children who are hurt physically and emotionally by the violence in their homes. More than half the children whose mothers are battered are likely to be physically abused themselves." During the last decade, domestic violence has been identified as one of the major causes of emergency room visits by women. Nationally, domestic violence has become the number one cause of death among women. Although research on domestic violence in the Muslim community is still ongoing, social advocates do not deny its predominance. A study done in the 1990s revealed a prevalence rate of 10 percent in the Muslim community, though advocates believe the numbers are much higher.

http://www.newageislam.com/domestic-violence-in-muslim-marriages---a-reality-that-must-be-addressed----/islamic-society/d/962