EP 22 - Sexual Abuse | Featuring the story of a Sikh Family of Maryland

Jessie Brar made the list of 100 Most Influential Sikhs Under 30! As founder of The Mental Health Spotlight, she shares how she turned her struggles with mental health and PTSD into a career helping others to overcome the same – especially in the South Asian community.Jessie shares how important it was for her to see other people who looked like her and understood her culture who were speaking out about these issues. It gave her the courage to initially seek help.

How do we create safe spaces for women and children?Sardarni Navleen Kaur is the Sikh Community educator at the Central Gurdwara Khalsa Jatha London. She currently teaches SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social Cultural Development & and Sikh Studies) worldwide. SMSC aims to do just that.She also runs women’s empowerment workshops and mindfulness courses. She coordinates projects at the Children’s Gurdwara Project on faith empowerment in London. She is the chair of the Cinq Étoile Dashmesh Academie in Paris running regular leadership development programmes for European Sikh youth and most recently is focusing on her consulting company called Sahara Sisterhood with a special focus on Safeguarding and Mental Health.

Hello Beautiful Souls, this week on Kaur Voices, our guest is Puneet Dhillon, PhD who is doing some AMAZING work to Empower Women. Her research has shown that when men’s perception of women’s roles change it influences men’s treatment of women. Presently, she works in Communications and Research at Punjabi Community Health Services.

Do you think Kaur Voices is just for women? Meet our team and find out why Kaur Voices is a space for all people. Jasvir Kaur Rababan, founder of Kaur Voices, chose "Kaur" to represent a nurturing energy for this space, and it also speaks to the "core" voices within us all that need to be heard. Hear from each of the team about why they feel inspired to support this seva, and why this space is needed.

This week, Jasvir Kaur Rababan addresses your concerns, questions and comments regarding the last episode of Kaur Voices Talk Show called "Ep 22 - Sexual Abuse in Gurdwaras." Please watch this episode to understand her intention behind sharing this difficult topic, and learn about the #MeTooSikh Movment she is launching and why it's so important.

Listen to the story of one Sikh family in Maryland who had the courage to speak out and support their daughter, but were not supported by their Gurdwara. The man who sexually abused their daughter of 12 at the time, continues to serve as a Granthi and teach kirtan to children. Why are we allowing this? We must protect our children and stand up for the safety of our sangat.

Preetinder Singh is a renowned musician, researcher and educator in the field of Sikh Music and a lead tutor at Raj Academy. Raj Academy is at the forefront on Sikh Music education and revival since 1994, creating a global renaissance in the world of Sikh Music. Preetinder has travelled and performed globally alongside his teacher, Professor Surinder Singh, taking the Taus to global platforms, world stages and raising it’s voice to new heights.

"With tremendous courage, Kalbir Bains breaks through taboos. She has transcended from victim to advocate for those suffering from domestic abuse, including honour-based violence, girl abortion, and dowry abuse."NOT our daughter! The true story of a daughter-in-law" is a book by Kalbir Bains; it’s also been turned into a short film. Through telling her story Kalbir gives others the courage to break through a veil of shame, thus disempowering abusers. As a volunteer for The Sharan Project Kalbir educates the younger generation on honour-based abuse and encourages them not to suffer in silence. She is also changing public policy by educating CPS, police force, and health workers. Her work is chipping away at the cycles of abuse."Listen to this important conversation with her in Episode 20 of Kaur Voices.

We all know someone who has experienced mental health difficulties: whether ourselves, family members, or friends. Within Punjabi communities, those living with mental health difficulties can face stigma from family and friends, wider society, as well as within health care settings, which can sometimes lead to increased isolation and a lack of support."Learn how Taraki is working to raise awareness, educate and faciliate social support for those suffering from Mental Health issues. Listen to this Podcast with Jasvir Kaur Rababan and Shuranjeet Singh, founder and director of Taraki.Visit www.sikhnet.com/kaurvoices

Gurpreet from The Kaur Movement joins us again with Bishamber Das Kaur, the first South Asian plus size model and youngest magistrate judge at 22 in the UK. Together, let's raise awareness and break the silence to put an end to sexual abuse and the shame and blame game. Learn more and join us at: www.sikhnet.com/kaurvoices