Professor Lisa Oakley
This report and the research on which it is based is essential reading. It makes a significant
contribution to our understanding and awareness of abuse in Scottish Muslim communities. The
focus on Scottish Muslim experiences addresses a paucity of work in this area to date.
The community-based research approach taken is both innovative and significant. This approach
ensures that the work is collaborative and that the voices and accounts of those with lived experience
are central to the research. The dissemination activities also demonstrate commitment to working
together in partnership to effect change.
The findings illustrate the importance of community spaces for Muslims in Scotland. They provide
comment on the characteristics of spaces which can support communities. However, the report also
evidences abuse and harm. The voices of those who have experienced this are central to the report.
The experiences detailed demonstrate areas where safeguarding knowledge and practice needs to
be developed and improved. They also illustrate that areas such as accountability and referral need
to be addressed. It is clear that all forms of abuse including spiritual abuse have been experienced
by some within this community, however there are barriers to being able to discuss, disclose, report
and seek support, which need to be addressed. The report thoughtfully explains and addresses the
intersection between Islamophobia and racism and how these sustain experiences of abuse.
Forewords
There is a wealth of knowledge within this report, which allows for a detailed exploration of
experiences of abuse within the Scottish Muslim community to be better understood. The report
explains a multitude of factors which impact experiences of abuse. It also describes factors relevant
to support and recovery.
It is essential reading both for those in faith communities and in the statutory sector seeking to
develop their understanding. The recommendations at the end of the report will support those who
wish to develop effective safeguarding practices and create healthier safer cultures and communities.
It will underpin the identification of abuse and harm but also the learning will work towards better
prevention and response.
The strength of this work is in the collaborative approach taken throughout and the commitment to
continuing to work in partnership to develop a practice for the future and a more survivor-focused
trauma-informed approach.
Lisa is professor of safeguarding and knowledge exchange and deputy programme leader
for the MSc in Family and Child Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of
Chester in the UK. Lisa has taught in higher education for over 30 years. She is a chartered
psychologist and chair of the British psychological society safeguarding advisory group. Lisa
has conducted research into issues of faith, safeguarding and abuse for the past 20 years
and has focused on spiritual abuse, she has co-authored a number of articles and book
chapters on these topics. Lisa has presented on these topics nationally and internationally.
Lisa is currently engaged in a cross-faith research project exploring experiences of disclosing
abuse that was experienced in a religious context.