S1E14 - Facing Abuse in Community Environments

*Trigger Warning: sensitive content below

Have you heard the phrase “Believe all women”? Well there’s a deeper meaning to be had about the logic this phrase offers. Have you ever wondered what the investigative process looks like when several parties come forward with an allegation against an individual? This episode, Afroze sits down with Sara Bawany (@sara.bawany ) a licensed social worker from FACE, an organization designed to tackle abuse in community environments. FACE recently published an investigative report against Mohamed Ali Mohamed Egeesa, otherwise known as Sheikh Abo Ras, a well known community leader in the town of Windsor, Ontario in Canada. Afroze and Sara discuss the specific allegations in this case and the evidence FACE used to substantiate the allegations. From allegations of clergy misconduct, marriage fraud and takhbib (an Arabic term that refers tp the act of convincing, incentivizing, pressuring, manipulating, or persuading a person to divorce their spouse with an ulterior motive and/or malice that is usually personally beneficial to the one doing the convincing), to allegations of blackmail and workplace misconduct. 

We discuss how an organization such as FACE has made it their mission to foster safe community environments by holding abusive religious and community leadership accountable. You can visit their website to access their database of released investigative reports of community abuse, or to report abuse. To learn more about FACE go to www.Facetogether.org or visit their IG @facingabuse

Due wasn't able to join us this week but will be back with us for next weeks episode.