Wheel of Power and Control

It's no secret that several religious practices help to perpetuate domestic violence. It's also no secret that there has been a lot of press about female abuse by some who practice the Islamic religion. I am not here to criticize Islam as I know some wonderful people who are Muslim. I wanted to write about this because I ran across the Muslim Wheel of Domestic Violence and found it to be worth mentioning.

Dr. Sharifa Alkhateeb was a hero for the civil rights of Muslim people in the US, particularly women and the issue of domestic violence. She spent forty years of her life dedicated to raising awareness and research before passing away in 2004 from cancer. I had never heard of her until now and many of you may not have either, but someone you know could benefit from her work.

Take a look at the Wheel of Power and Control and then the one created by Sharifa. The Muslim wheel has interesting specifics.

The wheel is an excellent visual way of explaining what domestic violence is and has literally helped people see the light. Apparently, there are several versions of this wheel that have been adapted to various lifestyles. In the end it's all the same message: Power and Control.

I encourage you to download and make copies of this wheel and share it with people. When someone asks about domestic violence or mentions what they think it is, show them the wheel to help them visualize. If the statistic is true that 1 in 3 females will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, then keeping small copies of the wheel in your belongings may come in handy some day.

You never know who will come out of the wood work and tell you she or someone needs help. Last evening, to her surprise, a family member discovered someone she knew was suffering from severe physical abuse and needed to find a place to stay. Fortunately, this family member came to me for advice on what to do. I forwarded several shelters and hot line numbers for this survivor and her children to get help.

Being involved in the cause for domestic violence awareness and prevention, it's easy to forget that the good work organizations are doing out there is not very visible, even to those who still suffer. Having some information handy, like the Wheel of Power and Control along with some hotline/shelter numbers on our person may become a possible life saver to someone in need. If anything, it makes for enlightening conversation to those who are ignorant about domestic violence and hide behind institutional beliefs, whether it be cultural, religious or otherwise. Who knows. The ripple effect of such conversations could some day save a life too.


Wheel of Power and Control Adaptations
Peaceful Families Project
Domestic Violence: An Islamic Perspective
Muslim Wheel of Domestic Violence
New York Times covers Muslim domestic violence in the US