Community Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence
Family is the foundation of our local Arabic communities–at the heart of every family are women: mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Whether you're Lebanese, Chaldean, Yemeni, or Masri, Muslim or Christian, our vibrant communities are what they are because of the women who have raised us, taught us, and allowed us to thrive. As the Prophet Muhammad said, “The best of you are those who are best to their women.”
Yet, even our communities are not immune to the global pandemic of intimate partner violence (IPV). Every year, 1 in 3 women report experiencing some form of psychological, physical, and sexual violence abuse from a partner (WHO, 2021). Though not all survivors of IPV are women, they are known to experience violence from their partner at significantly higher rates than men (CDC, 2024).
Every year, 1 in 3 women report experiencing some form of psychological, physical, and sexual violence abuse from a partner (WHO, 2021).
Unfortunately, the research on the issue as it impacts the Arab American community is limited for several reasons. First, there is a lack of funds and data available to learn about the lived experiences in Arab communities (Abuelezam et al., 2018). There are also, understandably, major fears within these communities on how such research could heighten already alarming levels of surveillance and negative stereotyping.
And finally, often survivors worry how coming forward with these experiences could put them at risk of more harm or even impact the reputation of their families (Khan et al., 2021).
That is why in 2016, a group of researchers and leaders from ACCESS came together to find a culturally responsible way of assessing how IPV impacts women of the Arab American backgrounds with a focus on Dearborn - the first Arab majority city in the country (Howell & Shuraydi, 2024). Over the next two weeks, the Center for Arab Narratives will help us share our findings with the community through an art-based social media campaign designed by the local Dearborn artist, Nada Hassan.
In our sample of 99 Arab-identifying women (18-65 years), 56% reported IPV, which exceeds the global prevalence (Khan et al., 2025). That means that nearly 3 in 5 women in our community have likely to have been in an abusive relationship at some point in their life. This included nearly 40% who had been kicked, punched or shoved by a partner, and 18% who had been forced to have sex when they did not want to (Khan et al., 2025).
These results are alarming and should make us wonder why in a community where we are taught to respect and protect our women, survivors still feel like no one would listen to them if they ever did ask for help. Why is it that a woman feels helpless in the face of abuse until the time comes where the bruises can no longer be concealed.
Even if the violence stops, there are long-term consequences for health that not only impact the survivor, but also their family. One woman from the community recalled the experience of a friend who had experienced abuse for 10 years, could not access birth control, and experienced multiple pregnancies and three miscarriages within the span of her relationship.
There is a common saying in Arabic which goes "ضرب الحبيب زبيب" (darb al-ḥabīb zabīb"), or "the beloved’s hitting is like raisins”. But it isn’t - it is neither small, nor sweet. IPV can cost you a life, the love of your life, your children, your family, and ultimately threatens the peace and safety in our homes and communities.
The issue is not without hope. There are several entities in our local communities that are trying to help our survivors. From our peers, religious leaders, and programs through ACCESS, such as Survivors of Violence Empowerment - many are doing their part in standing with survivors.
Over the next week the Center for Arab Narratives, ACCESS, the University of Michigan, and Arab Women United invite you to engage with our art-based social media campaign as we highlight the real experiences of survivors from within our own community. As you view these pieces, we ask you to consider these stories from a place of empathy and think about what you can do to support the survivors we know as they turn their struggle into strength.
References
- World Health Organization. (2021). Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control And Prevention. (2024). About Intimate Partner Violence. https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/index.html.
- Abuelezam, N. N., El-Sayed, A. M., & Galea, S. (2018). The health of Arab Americans in the United States: an updated comprehensive literature review. Frontiers in public health, 6, 262.
- Howell, S., & Shuraydi, A. (2024). A brief history of Dearborn, Michigan - the first Arab-American majority city in the U.S.. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-dearborn-michigan-the-first-arab-american-majority-city-in-the-us-216700#:~:text=Dearborn%20owes%20much%20of%20its,work%20in%20the%20auto%20plant.
- Khan, A. G., Cruz, J., Makki, M., Tariq, M., & Kusunoki, Y. (2025). Examining Family Violence and Reproductive Autonomy Among Arab American Women. Journal of Women's Health.
- Khan, A. G., Eid, N., Baddah, L., Elabed, L., Makki, M., Tariq, M., ... & Kusunoki, Y. (2022). A qualitative study of Arab-American perspectives on intimate partner violence in Dearborn, Michigan. Violence against women, 28(10), 2286-2311.