Improving Responses to Criminal Victimization of Muslims
Development of a training module to improve responses to criminal victimization within the Muslim community, supported by feedback from community leaders and professionals working with Muslim victims. Aiming to address the inadequate and fragmented approach to victim support, the module seeks to provide a more effective and empathetic response to victims, acknowledging the deep trauma and lasting impact of crimes while promoting a sense of community support and shared responsibility.
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BREAKING THE SILENCE BREAKING THE SILENCE IMPROVING RESPONSES TO CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION IMPROVING RESPONSES TO CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF MUSLIMS OF MUSLIMS Darakshan Raja, MA Darakshan Raja, MA Associate, Safe Nation Collaborative Associate, Safe Nation Collaborative
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Development of this training module was supported by funding from Safe Nation Collaborative. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this training are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Safe Nation Collaborative or the various organizations and individuals that were interviewed in order to develop this training. Overall 23 community leaders and professionals who have been working with Muslims who are victims provided feedback for this training. There were a mix of different perspectives from Chaplains, Imams, law enforcement officers, professionals within policy and civil rights organizations, and mental health professionals that have worked with Muslims across a wide range of crimes spanning from domestic violence, hate crimes, sexual assault, forced marriages, workplace violence to torture. Development of this training would not have been possible without the critical feedback from the following individuals: Sergeant Mike Abdeen, Founder of Muslim Community Affairs Initiative, Los Angeles Sherrif s Department Sakeenah Abdulraheem, Counselor and former employee of CAIR Alejandro Beutal, Former MPAC Government and Policy Analyst Anas Coburn, Founder and Managing Director, Project Sakinah Asma Hanif , Founder & Director, Muslimaat al-Nisaa Shazia Kamal, Associate Editor at AltMuslimah.com and former MPAC Hate Crimes Specialist Imam Mohamed Magid, President, Islamic Society of North America Muhammad Malik, Human Rights Advocate, Former Executive Director at CAIR and Board Member of No More Tears Morlie Patel, Deputy Director of External Affairs, Cook County Sherriff s Department Ibrahim Ramey, Executive Director, Muslim Women in Research and Development (MWIRD) Qudsia Raja, Policy & Advocacy Field Director, YWCA USA Peaceful Families Project (National Coalition on Muslims against Domestic Violence)
While the trauma and harm experienced by many victims of crime is deep, While the trauma and harm experienced by many victims of crime is deep, debilitating, and long debilitating, and long- -lasting, our treatment of crime victims at every lasting, our treatment of crime victims at every level individual individual, community, and governmental is ineffective, fragmented, and , community, and governmental is ineffective, fragmented, and dismissive. This woefully inadequate response reinforces victims sense of shame dismissive. This woefully inadequate response reinforces victims sense of shame and isolation, and a misguided belief that recovery is a private and isolation, and a misguided belief that recovery is a private manner (Herman, 2010). 2010). level-- -- manner (Herman,
OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES Provide an Provide an overview of victimization overview of victimization within the Muslim community within the Muslim community What separates the needs of Muslims who are victims of crime from What separates the needs of Muslims who are victims of crime from other victims of other victims of crime crime Identify Identify challenges and barriers for Muslims challenges and barriers for Muslims who services or help from the criminal justice services or help from the criminal justice system who are seeking victim are seeking victim system Provide recommendations and resources Provide recommendations and resources for promising practices for promising practices
AUDIENCE AUDIENCE How How many of you work with victims of crime? many of you work with victims of crime? What types of crimes? What types of crimes? Have you had training on working with victims of crime? Have you had training on working with victims of crime? What types What types Have you worked with Muslims who have been victims of crime Have you worked with Muslims who have been victims of crime?
I. Victimization Victimization in America in America
HISTORY & LEGISLATION Victims of Crime Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Act (VOCA)- -1984 Violence Against Violence Against Women Act Women Act (VAWA) (VAWA)- -1994 Crime Victims Crime Victims Rights Act Rights Act (2004) (2004) 1984 Victim s Rights Movement Began in the 1970s(40 years of developments) 1994 Established strong federal leadership on assisting victims (Crime Victims Compensation Fund) Considered the lifeline of providing services to women escaping violence Enhanced protections for victims within the federal system All 50 States have Victim s Rights Legislation
TYPES OF CRIMES TYPES OF CRIMES Campus Crimes Child Victimization Dating Violence Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence Drunk and Drugged Driving Elder Victimization Hate and Bias Crime Homicide Human Trafficking Identity Theft/Financial Crimes Internet Victimization School Crime and Victimization Sexual Violence Stalking Teen Victimization Terrorism Workplace Violence
PREVELANCE OF CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION PREVELANCE OF CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION 18.7 18.7 million violent and property crimes for individuals aged 12 and over million violent and property crimes for individuals aged 12 and over (National Crime Victimization (National Crime Victimization Survey) Survey) Property Property Crimes: 14.8 million Crimes: 14.8 million crimes crimes Assault Assault: : 3,148,250 3,148,250 million million crimes crimes Intimate Intimate Partner Violence Partner Violence a a) Male: ) Male: 101, 530 101, 530 b b) Female: ) Female: 407, 700 407, 700 Rape/Sexual Rape/Sexual Assault: 188,380 Assault: 188,380 Homicide Homicide: : 12,996 12,996 (FBI UCR data for 2010) (FBI UCR data for 2010) Hate Hate Crimes: 7,783 hate crimes (FBI Crimes: 7,783 hate crimes (FBI UCR data from 2008) UCR data from 2008)
REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT 52 52% of all violent victimization crimes aren t reported to law % of all violent victimization crimes aren t reported to law enforcement (NCVS, 2012) enforcement (NCVS, 2012) 16 16%: police wouldn t help/couldn t help (Doubled since 1994) %: police wouldn t help/couldn t help (Doubled since 1994) 13 13%: fear of reprisal or getting %: fear of reprisal or getting into into more trouble more trouble 62% of victimization that took place at the hands of a non 62% of victimization that took place at the hands of a non- -stranger wasn t reported wasn t reported stranger 76% of all violent crimes that occurred at schools were not reported 76% of all violent crimes that occurred at schools were not reported 12 12- -17 is the age group with the most underreporting for victimization 17 is the age group with the most underreporting for victimization for violent crimes for violent crimes
VICTIM SERVICES VICTIM SERVICES From From 1993 assistance(NCVS, 2012) assistance(NCVS, 2012) 1993- -2009 only 9% of all victims of violent crime received 2009 only 9% of all victims of violent crime received Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence: Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence: 23% 23% Rape/SA Rape/SA: 21% : 21% Aggravated Aggravated Assault: 9% Assault: 9% Robbery Robbery: 8% : 8% Simple Simple Assault: 7% Assault: 7% Property Property Crime: 2% Crime: 2%
II. Underserved Groups: Underserved Groups: Victimization and Muslims Victimization and Muslims
MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN AMERICA MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN AMERICA Population: 2.6 million to 6.2 million in Population: 2.6 million to 6.2 million in 2030 (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Forum on Religion and Public Life, 2009) 2030 (Pew Research Center Research Center Life, 2009) 65% percent of U.S Muslims are 65% percent of U.S Muslims are foreign born (Pew 2007) 2007) foreign born (Pew Research Research Center, Center, 35% are Native 35% are Native- -born born Muslims (Pew Muslims (Pew Research Center, 2007 Research Center, 2007) ) Highest Concentration: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Highest Concentration: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Texas ( (Abdelatif Abdelatif & & Minnite Minnite, , 2002) 2002) Texas
RESEARCH ON MUSLIM COMMUNITIES Most Most research on research on Muslims and the largest amount of funding Muslims and the largest amount of funding has focused focused on the on the threat threat of extremism and of extremism and terrorism has terrorism Handful Handful of studies on Muslims as victims of crime of studies on Muslims as victims of crime Lack Lack of awareness that Muslims of awareness that Muslims aren t a homogeneous group aren t a homogeneous group Lack of awareness or acknowledgement that victimization within the Lack of awareness or acknowledgement that victimization within the Muslim community exists and how it may look different from Muslim community exists and how it may look different from victimization in general within America victimization in general within America
FORMS FORMS OF OF VICTIMIZATION EFFECTING VICTIMIZATION EFFECTING MUSLIM MUSLIM COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES Forced Marriages (Not considered a crime under US law) (Not considered a crime under US law) In-Law Violence Dowry Violence Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Federal Bill in the process of being passed in 2012 that aims to track victims of HBV but it isn t a crime under US law. There are no screenings in place Honor Based Violence Honor Based Violence (Honor Killings) (Honor Killings) Gender Based Gender Based Violence Violence (FGM, Early Childhood marriages, Acid Violence, human trafficking) Protections may exist for undocumented women through T- Visas/U-Visas or through seeking asylum. However there are weak protections, lack of clear protections or no protections against these forms of violence, or even an acknowledgement that such forms of violence exist against American women who are citizens
CONT. CONT. Religious and Racial Discrimination Hate Crimes Domestic Terrorism Islamophobia Post 9/11 War on Terror Policies (Indefinite Detention, disappearances, torture, enhanced interrogation, racial profiling, increased surveillance and monitoring) Victims of Oppressive or Authoritarian Governments (political prisoners, police brutality) Victims of War Crimes and conflict zones (torture, use of rape as a weapon of war, human trafficking, genocide, ethnic cleansing, military occupations) May see this more within the refugee or immigrant community Political Violence
HATE CRIMES Prevalence: 1600% increase in anti-Muslim hate violence after 9/11 (Southern Poverty Law Center, 2012) Underreporting is an issue and certain forms of hate violence against specific religious groups isn t collected (Sikhs) Free Speech v. Hate Speech Local law enforcement agencies aren t trained on identifying what to look for and the federal government will take only the worst of the worst cases A hate crime, also known as a bias crime, is a criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin (FBI).
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by someone to establish power and control over another person in a relationship. Domestic violence sometimes follows a cyclical pattern in which there are periods of calm, building up of tension, and then abuse. After a period of abuse, batterers are often apologetic, but as the cycle repeats the abuse usually gets worse over time (Peaceful Families Project).
PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE First National Study: 10% of Muslims experienced abuse in their homes (Alkhateeb, 1999) Largest study (Celik & Sabri, 2012) N=801 Muslim respondents 66% reported they knew someone who was being abused (2/3) 53% reported they themselves had experience abuse (1/2) Comparable to the highest rates of victimization of minority groups in America
DOMESTIC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (CONT.) VIOLENCE (CONT.) Duluth Model Duluth Model Physical Abuse (Kicking, hitting, shoving) Sexual Abuse (rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution, interfering with birth control-controlling reproductive health) Cultural Abuse Dowry Violence In-Law Violence Abuse of Immigration Status Study in NYC had found 51% of all intimate partner homicide victims were foreign-born(New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygeine, 2004) Emotional Abuse (shouting, name- calling) Economic Abuse Psychological Abuse
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RELIGIOUS ABUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RELIGIOUS ABUSE Coercion Coercion and Threats and Threats Threatening to marry another wife and God ordained wife-beating (4:34) Threatening to spread the word and dishonor her reputation Making her drop charges to preserve the extended family s honor Intimidation Intimidation Having the Imam tell the wife its her fault Collecting/Displaying weapons Stalking Emotional Abuse Emotional Abuse Telling the victim she isn t a good Muslim mother or wife Stating her knowledge of Islam is weak Telling women they need to be obedient and uphold the honor of the family
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RELIGIOUS ABUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RELIGIOUS ABUSE Isolation Isolation Restricts movement and access to family May use religious explanations stating he is the manager of the family and has God-given right to control her movement Minimizing, Denying and Blaming Minimizing, Denying and Blaming Saying the wife caused the abuse Telling the wife that by telling others of the abuse she is violating the husband s privacy and God will punish her Using Children Using Children Child Abuse for the purposes of not having kids become too American or Western Threats of taking the children back to the native country to marry them off or kidnap them Father encourages children to abuse and disrespect the mother
HONOR BASED VIOLENCE ( HONOR BASED VIOLENCE (HBV HBV) ) Video Video Clip Clip: http://vimeo.com/43619478 (First 3 minutes) HBV versus HBV versus DV(Honor Based Violence Awareness Network, 2012) DV(Honor Based Violence Awareness Network, 2012) Collective nature of the crime Multiple perpetrators (family, extended family, community) Possibly multiple victims Strong correlation with forced marriages Male/Female can be the victim or perpetrator in the crime Honour Honour Killings An honour killing is the most extreme form of HBV where the supposed offender against family honour is killed to restore the honour which has supposedly been lost through her behavior; however there are other lesser responses, such as forcing marriage, or other forms of violence which may also be expressed(Honor Based Violence Network, 2012) Killings Currently HBV isn t being monitored or tracked in the United States. There is also currently nothing explicit within laws that protects from HBV. US is beginning and has introduced a federal bill that will track HBV in the United States
FORCED FORCED MARRIAGES MARRIAGES Prevalence: 3000 suspected cases in the United States (Tahirih Justice Center, 2011) 85% identified as Muslim India, Pakistan, Mexico, and Bangladesh had the highest numbers of reported or suspected cases of forced marriages Forced Marriage v. Arranged Marriage Lack of consent or the ability to give consent (Child Marriages, incapacity, vulnerability) It can happen to men and women at any age, and it may have taken place either within the United States or abroad Subject to Force, Fraud, or Coercion No US law against forced marriage
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) Collective name for various traditional practices of cutting the female genitals that usually occur from 4-12 in girls, and are considered a rite of passage(Center for Productive Rights, 2006). Usually carried out by a woman Cultural not Religious Practice but prevalent in some few subsets of Muslim communities FGM is not illegal in all states in the United States No prevalence on how many American women face FGM
IMPACT OF CRIME VICTIMIZATION IMPACT OF CRIME VICTIMIZATION Trauma (PTSD) Secondary Victimization (Societal Response or Lack of) Victim Blaming and Shaming Ostracizing the victim due to stigma Self-Harm/Suicide Vulnerability to further victimization(Poly More crime(While most victims of crime do not offend, the majority of offenders have had severe experiences of victimization within their lives)
III. Current State of Response Current State of Response to Victimization of Muslims to Victimization of Muslims
WHERE ARE MOST MUSLIMS SEEKING WHERE ARE MOST MUSLIMS SEEKING SERVICES AFTER BEING VICTIMS OF SERVICES AFTER BEING VICTIMS OF CRIME? CRIME? Mosques: Mosques: Most Muslims Most Muslims are seeking are seeking counseling counseling and advice and advice from Imams from Imams within within mosques mosques The role of Imams as central to counseling was found in a study conducted 22 mosques where 96% of the participants in the study considered the Imam a counselor, and 74% had sought out counseling from imams on safety issues(Abu-Ras, Gheith, & Cournos, 2008) in New York City of
TYPES OF CRIMES NGOS PRIMARILY SERVING TYPES OF CRIMES NGOS PRIMARILY SERVING MUSLIMS ARE SEEING (LIST OF TOP CRIMES) MUSLIMS ARE SEEING (LIST OF TOP CRIMES) Domestic Domestic Violence/IPV/HBV Violence/IPV/HBV Hate Crimes/Racial Discrimination Hate Crimes/Racial Discrimination Child Abuse Child Abuse Forced Marriages Forced Marriages Sexual Assault Sexual Assault Dating Violence Dating Violence Employers abusing low Employers abusing low- -wage employees (sexual harassment, unpaid wage employees (sexual harassment, unpaid wages, assault, wages, assault, etc etc) ) Human Trafficking Human Trafficking
VICTIM SERVICES RESPONSE TO MUSLIMS VICTIM SERVICES RESPONSE TO MUSLIMS Victim Services for Muslims is within the embryonic Victim Services for Muslims is within the embryonic stage stage Fear of Reaching Out to Victim Fear of Reaching Out to Victim Services Services Importance of having faith based services Importance of having faith based services Faith Faith matters and maybe the only thing the victim may have matters and maybe the only thing the victim may have
VICTIM SERVICES RESPONSE TO MUSLIMS VICTIM SERVICES RESPONSE TO MUSLIMS Lack Lack of professional services of professional services Lack of adequate and appropriate services Lack of adequate and appropriate services Lack of funding and support for organizations working with Muslims Lack of funding and support for organizations working with Muslims Challenges Challenges: There is a divide between the Muslim Social Workers and : There is a divide between the Muslim Social Workers and those that are conducting work through the social work lens versus the those that are conducting work through the social work lens versus the traditional religious lens traditional religious lens
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS IN ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS IN ADDRESSING VICTIMIZATION VICTIMIZATION The Muslim community is The Muslim community is 30 years behind awareness 30 years behind awareness and the acknowledgement of and the acknowledgement of victimization (Interviewee). victimization (Interviewee). Just now beginning to accept Just now beginning to accept the idea that Muslims can be the idea that Muslims can be and are indeed victims of and are indeed victims of crime (Survey Respondent). crime (Survey Respondent). Lack of awareness and Lack of awareness and education that victims have education that victims have rights under the criminal justice rights under the criminal justice system system Lack of awareness on types of Lack of awareness on types of services and how to access them services and how to access them Racial and Ethnic Divisions Racial and Ethnic Divisions Lack of awareness in the Lack of awareness in the Muslim community of Muslim community of victimization victimization (Sexual Assault/Domestic (Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence/IPV/Human Violence/IPV/Human trafficking/Child trafficking/Child Abuse/Elder Abuse) Abuse/Elder Abuse)
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS IN ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS IN ADDRESSING VICTIMIZATION (CONT.) VICTIMIZATION (CONT.) Denial that victimization Denial that victimization exists within the community exists within the community Emphasis on the community versus the individual (reputation) Emphasis on the community versus the individual (reputation) Fear of making Islam/community/culture/family look bad Fear of making Islam/community/culture/family look bad Honor Honor Cultural Stigma around Cultural Stigma around victimization victimization Shame Shame Isolated from the Community due to Stigma Isolated from the Community due to Stigma Generations of Post Generations of Post- -Trauma and Abuse and Abuse Trauma Polyvictimization Polyvictimization
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS (IMMIGRATION CONCERNS) (IMMIGRATION CONCERNS) Status Status (Fear of Deportation) (Fear of Deportation) Less Protection Under the Law Less Protection Under the Law Less access to services and victim s rights Less access to services and victim s rights Language Barriers Language Barriers Fear law enforcement will not believe the individual has Fear law enforcement will not believe the individual has been victimized been victimized
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS (SPECIFIC TO DV CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS (SPECIFIC TO DV) ) Culture v. Culture v. Religion Religion Cultural practices have been mixed with religious Cultural practices have been mixed with religious interpretations. interpretations. Not supportive and may hinder an investigation or prevent victims Not supportive and may hinder an investigation or prevent victims from seeking professional services from seeking professional services Ex: There have been some mosques where the funding boards Ex: There have been some mosques where the funding boards have asked that their mosque shouldn t work with any victim of have asked that their mosque shouldn t work with any victim of DV within the community because it would break homes. DV within the community because it would break homes. Ex: A pattern of behavior in all cases of dv where when the spouse Ex: A pattern of behavior in all cases of dv where when the spouse is about to report the abuse and the abuser is aware of that, the is about to report the abuse and the abuser is aware of that, the perpetrator or their family will increase donations to the mosque perpetrator or their family will increase donations to the mosque because then the mosque won t speak out or the Imams. because then the mosque won t speak out or the Imams. You won t bite the hand that feeds you (Interviewee) won t bite the hand that feeds you (Interviewee) Mosques Mosques You
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS ( (SPECIFIC TO DV) SPECIFIC TO DV) Denial Among Imams Denial Among Imams Estimation Estimation of how many Imams give sound support for domestic of how many Imams give sound support for domestic violence violence 20% get it but the other 80% just don t think about it and most 20% get it but the other 80% just don t think about it and most of of it just it just doesn t doesn t get reported (Interviewee get reported (Interviewee) ) I personally know a woman whom was being abused and her I personally know a woman whom was being abused and her child child was was born born ill due to it. He is now dead. No one listened to ill due to it. He is now dead. No one listened to her her. No one . No one believed believed her and now her son is dead and she is her and now her son is dead and she is devastated devastated. I know . I know women women who have miscarriages due to the who have miscarriages due to the abuse abuse (Survey Respondent (Survey Respondent) ) Referring specifically to the Imam and the Referring specifically to the Imam and the Mosque Mosque
DV(CONT.) DV(CONT.) Lack Lack of Knowledge on the Danger Victims are of Knowledge on the Danger Victims are In In 90% of Imams tell women to go back home. They are signing these women s 90% of Imams tell women to go back home. They are signing these women s death warrants. In 100% of the cases where women listened to the Imam, I death warrants. In 100% of the cases where women listened to the Imam, I never heard from them again (Director, Muslim Women s Shelter) never heard from them again (Director, Muslim Women s Shelter) Many Imams aren t aware of the rights of victims under the criminal justice Many Imams aren t aware of the rights of victims under the criminal justice system system ( (Eg Eg : : Won t know about orders of protections or restraining orders). Won t know about orders of protections or restraining orders). 50% of Imams don t have knowledge on the criminal justice system and rights 50% of Imams don t have knowledge on the criminal justice system and rights for victims of crime. 90% won t know the difference or the purpose of orders for victims of crime. 90% won t know the difference or the purpose of orders of protection. of protection.
WOMEN WOMEN Invisibility Invisibility in terms of voices and presence within the in terms of voices and presence within the religious community religious community Traditional Traditional roles of women that include not being in roles of women that include not being in public/Conditioned to not leave the home public/Conditioned to not leave the home Stereotypes of the Hijab Stereotypes of the Hijab Sex related crimes: Women are reluctant to report because Sex related crimes: Women are reluctant to report because of honor norms. To report would be to violate the family s of honor norms. To report would be to violate the family s honor honor Divorce is Taboo(DV) Divorce is Taboo(DV)
MEN MEN Shame Shame No resources for addressing male No resources for addressing male victimization victimization Many organizations specifically have within their mandates Many organizations specifically have within their mandates that they will not serve that they will not serve males males Victimization of men occurring outside the home Victimization of men occurring outside the home Sexual Sexual Abuse: Abuse: We are hearing scattered reports in We are hearing scattered reports in the country that there is the existence of sexual abuse occurring at country that there is the existence of sexual abuse occurring at the hands of religious teachers (Interviewee) the hands of religious teachers (Interviewee) the
CJ RESPONSES TO MUSLIMS (LAW ENFORCEMENT) CJ RESPONSES TO MUSLIMS (LAW ENFORCEMENT) Fundamental Fundamental m misunderstanding different LE agencies different LE agencies isunderstanding of the function of the function of the of the Mistrust of LE Mistrust of LE Fear Fear of LE of LE Victims Victims won t be believed (More heightened perception won t be believed (More heightened perception among immigrants among immigrants) )
LAW ENFORCEMENT Not Not aggressive enough in cases where the victims are aggressive enough in cases where the victims are Muslim Muslim Misconception Misconception that the faith that the faith allows for the abuse. allows for the abuse. Ex: Ex: Incidents where officers have responded and stated Isn t he Incidents where officers have responded and stated Isn t he allowed to beat you? allowed to beat you? Why are you calling us. Why are you calling us. Hate Crimes: Hate Crimes: Lukeworm know what characteristics to look for in terms of indicators of bias know what characteristics to look for in terms of indicators of bias Lukeworm response to hate crimes. Agencies don t response to hate crimes. Agencies don t Forced Forced Marriages/Honor Based Violence: Don t Marriages/Honor Based Violence: Don t know what to look for in terms of indicators for in terms of indicators know what to look
CJ RESPONSES TO MUSLIMS (PROSECUTION) CJ RESPONSES TO MUSLIMS (PROSECUTION) Low Low Prosecution Rates Prosecution Rates Domestic Violence: Rarely seen cases prosecuted. Some participants Domestic Violence: Rarely seen cases prosecuted. Some participants mentioned they haven t heard of a single case that was prosecuted. mentioned they haven t heard of a single case that was prosecuted. Even if they are, sentences are low, and the individual will be released Even if they are, sentences are low, and the individual will be released back into society and can abuse someone else. back into society and can abuse someone else. Hate Crimes: Hate Crimes: Some prosecutions on a federal level but most cases on Some prosecutions on a federal level but most cases on the state level are being prosecuted as the state level are being prosecuted as p property crimes unless there was an assault an assault roperty crimes unless there was Property Crimes/Financial Crimes Property Crimes/Financial Crimes: Few Few prosecutions occurring prosecutions occurring
CJ RESPONSES TO MUSLIMS (JUDGES) CJ RESPONSES TO MUSLIMS (JUDGES) There are instances where women s faith has been used against them. There are instances where women s faith has been used against them. There is a disconnect with courts and victims who are women of faith and There is a disconnect with courts and victims who are women of faith and victims have been denied orders of protection because the judge felt the victims have been denied orders of protection because the judge felt the victim wasn t serious victim wasn t serious enough ( enough (Inteviewee Inteviewee). ). Lack Lack of awareness and understanding of religion and of awareness and understanding of religion and culture culture Lack of sensitivity Lack of sensitivity Judges are making decisions based on their own religious Judges are making decisions based on their own religious interpretations interpretations
IV. Recommendations for Improving Recommendations for Improving Responses to Muslims who are Victims of Responses to Muslims who are Victims of Crime Crime
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING SERVICES SERVICES Understanding the Importance of Honor in the Community Unlearn Biases and Stereotypes
PROMISING PRACTICES OF ENGAGING THE PROMISING PRACTICES OF ENGAGING THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY (LAW ENFORCEMENT) MUSLIM COMMUNITY (LAW ENFORCEMENT) Attend and table at community events Attend and table at community events Attend the mosque Attend the mosque Build Relationships with various leaders and professionals in Build Relationships with various leaders and professionals in the community the community Work with Advocates Work with Advocates DO NOT USE THE SAME PEOPLE FOR WORKING DO NOT USE THE SAME PEOPLE FOR WORKING WITH ALL TRYPES OF CRIMES WITH ALL TRYPES OF CRIMES Improve Outreach Improve Outreach to the Muslim to the Muslim Community Community Cook County Sheriff s Cook County Sheriff s Office and Los Angeles Office and Los Angeles Sherriff s Sherriff s Department(Promising Department(Promising Models of Engagement) Models of Engagement) Used the officers within their agencies who were trusted Used the officers within their agencies who were trusted officers and had validity within the community officers and had validity within the community Created materials to educate officers on cultural competency Created materials to educate officers on cultural competency Created trainings on issues such as domestic violence and Created trainings on issues such as domestic violence and elder abuse and are conducting outreach in the community elder abuse and are conducting outreach in the community Taken clear positions that anything that rises to the level of a Taken clear positions that anything that rises to the level of a crime will be handled as such (LASD) crime will be handled as such (LASD)
CONT. CONT. LASD is willing to serve LASD is willing to serve as a resource to other as a resource to other law enforcement law enforcement agencies on how to agencies on how to create similar initiatives create similar initiatives engaging the Muslim engaging the Muslim community in other community in other jurisdictions. They have jurisdictions. They have already worked with already worked with SDPD, LAPD, MPD, SDPD, LAPD, MPD, and others. Every and others. Every community differs and community differs and the needs are different. the needs are different. Overall community is Overall community is receptive to such receptive to such initiatives because they initiatives because they want their voices heard want their voices heard Encourage LE agencies Encourage LE agencies to create such initiative to create such initiative
