Ever since I became a Chaplain: I’ve personally counseled People (Men & Women alike), who’ve suffered via Abuse. Contrary to Popular-Opinion: a. Abuse doesn’t exclusively affect Females/Women. b. Abuse isn’t always physical. c. People don’t deserve to be abused via any Way. Sadly, especially amongst Muslims: there’s verly little Resources, not enough Resources, etc. given to Muslim-Demographics to educate&empower Others to combat Abuse in a Positive/Constructive-Way. Referring to the Aforementioned, detailing the Post about me seeing someone brutalized: it’s something which scared my Mind/Heart, as has Other-Recollections of Unjust-Violence against Others. And, there’s literally 0 that Certain-People are willing to do about it. Now, pertaining to the Person whom I saw…I didn’t know them, don’t know whether they were able to escape their Abuser, don’t know whether their Abuser got arrested, etc. But, here’s what I know for a Fact: Abuse stays with People, potentially for as long as they live & especially if they don’t receive the Necessary-Resources to help them heal from their Trauma.
Even amongst Muslim-Demographics, the Issues pertaining to Abuse aren’t given the Seriousness which it deserves. For example…I specifically remember giving an Abuse Lecture/Presentation at a Masjid/Mosque. As I began detailing Abuse-Statistics: Several Muslim-Men (including the Imām of the Masjid I presented at whom personally invited me to do the Event & organized the Event itself) literally began laughing & joking about the Abuse-Stats which I detailed. I literally had to stop my Presentation, to black-out on the Crowd, to address those whom made Mockery of the Abuse-Stats.
www.facebook.com/gareth.bryant15/videos/10221597418663620/
The Scenario I’ve detailed wasn’t the 1st-Time that Things like this occur, nor will it ever be the Last-Time. However, we as Individuals & Collectives must work harder to eradicate these Types/Kinds of Scenarios from our Societies. We must care about the Other, willing to look at Life through the Lenses of Other-People’s Experiences. We must be willing to be Non-Judgmental, to not blame/fault the Abused for being abused. We even must approach the Abusers amongst us via ar-Rahmah/Mercy & as-Sabr/Patience, even when they deserve Punishment via their Wrongs. We all are mandated to be of Help to both the Oppressed & the Oppressor, as this is what Muhammad (Peace be upon them) required.
(al-Bukhārī)
Gareth Bryant
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