Trauma of Domestic Violence and an Islamic Perspective on Healing: A Case Study of Australian Muslim Victim-Survivors

Domestic violence is a major concern globally and within Australia, leading to numerous external and internal health issues, including psychological trauma. Research on posttraumatic growth suggests that positive outcomes can emerge after traumatic events. Posttraumatic growth involves positive changes in five key areas: a stronger appreciation of life, developing more effective and fulfilling personal relationships, improved self-esteem, recognising new life pathways and spiritual growth.
Yet, there is a lack of research on how Australian Muslim victim-survivors heal and experience posttraumatic growth from domestic violence. This study addresses this gap by examining how Australian Muslim victim-survivors utilise concepts, practices and principles from an Islamic worldview to heal and achieve growth within these five domains.
While there is support, scholarly interest and literature on posttraumatic growth in global and Western contexts, there is little available on trauma and domestic violence healing within the Islamic perspective and the Australian context. This research employs a culturally appropriate lens, using semi-structured interviews to gather insights into the healing processes of Australian Muslim victim-survivors who reveal that they thrive and grow with their trauma. This study has two key findings: Islamic spirituality permeates all aspects of growth for Australian Muslim victim-survivors and growth occurs concurrently with the trauma. These findings have implications for knowledge pertaining to Australian Muslim victim-survivors and their healing, theory related to Islamic spirituality and posttraumatic growth, policy and practice considerations.
These findings would benefit Muslim and non-Muslim community workers, therapists, psychologists and counsellors in Australia by providing better-informed, trauma-responsive care to their female Muslim clients.