Muslim Women "Break The Silence" In WebEx Conference

Breaking the Silence: Answering Spousal Abuse with Proactive Intervention Strategies

[PRESS RELEASE - March 7, 2009, Midlothian, VA] Beyond the public condemnations and statements made denouncing domestic violence and spousal abuse, what strategies are needed now to address domestic violence and prevent spousal abuse? In communities with conservative religious values and ethnically-diverse populations, how do we develop effective interventions to help at-risk families and break the cycle of violence?

Culturally-diverse populations need culturally-sensitive interventions which reflect input from practitioners working in those communities. But in communities with conservative religious values, how do we create opportunities for troubled individuals and families to seek help to break the cycle of violence?

On Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m. (EDT), a group of Muslim practitioners from national and regional organizations will discuss these issues in a scheduled internet Webex conference entitled "Breaking the Silence: Answering Spousal Abuse with Proactive Intervention Strategies." Community leaders and service providers are strongly encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is required to join the session. Session seats for this free web conference are limited to the first 25 registrations. Register for Meeting ID 927 512 936 at http://my.webex.com/join

WebEx Conference Title:
Breaking the Silence: Answering Spousal Abuse with Proactive Intervention Strategies

WebEx Conference Session ID: 927 512 936
Website: http://my.webex.com/join

About The Presenters:

Aneesah Nadir, MSW, Ph.D, is President of the Islamic Social Services Association-US (ISSA) and Director of the Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA) "Healthy Marriage Initiative". She co-authored the chapter, Islam, in Spirituality and Religious Traditions in Social Work Practice (edited by Van Hoo, Hugen and Aguilar, 2001) and is author of the chapter, Promoting Positive Marital Outcomes Among Muslims in America in Islam in America: Images and Challenges (edited by Lin, 1998).

Salma Abugideiri, M.Ed., LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and co-director of the "Peaceful Families Project", a program dedicated to educating Muslim community members and leaders about domestic violence. She provides culturally-sensitive training to professionals and practitioners from other faiths and beliefs who serve Muslim families. Ms. Abugideiri co-authored a guide entitled "What Islam Says About Domestic Violence" and wrote a chapter in Change from Within: Diverse Perspectives on Domestic Violence in Muslim Communities.

Robina Niaz, MS, MSW, is founder and Executive Director of "Turning Point for Women and Families" a social services agency serving Muslim women and families based in Queens, NY. As a social worker, community/women's rights activist and trained sexual assault counselor, she has provided services as a social work consultant to several organizations including ICNA-Relief.

Bonita McGee, MA, President and co-founder of Muslim Family Services-OH, and board member of ISSA-US, has been involved in research evaluating attitudes and perceptions of religious leaders within the Muslim community towards domestic violence. She has served as counselor in the Domestic Violence Unit of the DC Superior Court and is the co-chair of the Domestic Violence Awareness Program for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).