JustCommunity has launched an multi-disciplinary advisory group to assist government and agencies facilitate and provide culturally and psychologically appropriate services.
This initiative is urgent because over the next few days and weeks there will be peak in the initiatives directed at responding at responding, not only to the physical reality of the tragedy but the psychological and emotional impact.
Our experience confirms that it is critical for there to be guidance in key cultural and psychological areas in order to achieve the objectives of mitigating trauma.
Otherwise, there is a significant risk that through a lack of understanding of the complexity (and diversity) of Muslim experience (including of systemic racism and anti-Muslim sentiment) well-meaning agencies or providers will miss the underlying narratives that play a significant part in the Muslim emotional experience.
We aim to provide constructive, clear and unequivocal, psychological and cultural advice in order to reduce the risk of (re)traumatisation through uniformed engagement with the Muslim community at this extremely sensitive time.
Click here to read the JustCommunity Advisory Group’s letter to the Prime Minister.
Click here to go to Christchurch attack resources
About Advisory Group
About Us
Psycho-Cultural Well-being advisory group on the complex issues involved in response to the terror attack on Friday 15th March 2019 in Christchurch Aotearoa, NZ. We are offering our combined expertise in well-being, mental health, psychology, law, human rights, faith and spirituality, to provide overarching advice in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Founding members
Aarif Rasheed, Barrister, Mediator, JustCommunity
Dr Shaystah Dean, Clinical Psychologist, PhD, Wellington – (not currently part of advisory Group)
Dr Hinemoa Elder, Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, MBChB, FRANZCP, PhD (AKL)
Emma Priest, Barrister, Blackstone Chambers, Auckland (AKL)
Dr Khalid Shah: GP Registrar, Muslim Cultural Consultant to Waitemata DHB Asian Health Services, Psychiatry Registrar Auckland DHB. Researcher: Muslim Mental Health (AKL)
Wayne Marriot, Mediator, Social Change Researcher, Conflict Resolution Practitioner (CHCH) – (not currently part of advisory Group)
Consulting members:
Khylee Quince, Law Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology (AKL)
Rosslyn Noonan, Auckland Law School Centre for Human Rights Policy and Development (AKL)
Mike Hinton, Ngati Raukawa, Restorative Practices Aotearoa (Wellington)
Helen Bowen, Restorative Justice Consultant, Therapeutic Justice Practitioner, Youth Justice Advocate
Ahmed Khilani, Prison and Disaster Chaplin, NSW
Joseph Bulbulia, Prof. of Psychology (Cognitive Science, Evolutionary Biology, Evolutionary Economics, Psychology Religion) Victoria University of Wellington)
Tracey McIntosh, Professor- University of Auckland, Safe and Effective Justice Group