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Demonic Possession: Narratives of Domestic Abuse and Trauma in Malaysia

Sahdan, Z.; Pain, R.; McEwan, C.

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Authors

Z. Sahdan

R. Pain



Abstract

Every society deploys narratives concerning the phenomenon of domestic abuse which serve to downplay and normalise it. Drawing on qualitative research with survivors in Malaysia, and working from a feminist postcolonial framework, this paper explores how the notion of demonic possession is used by survivors and perpetrators as a metaphor for domestic abuse, and a narrative to make sense of and excuse it. The idea of demonic possession has utility because of its close fit both with perpetrators’ behaviour and the symptoms experienced by survivors with trauma. The research focuses on the intimate dynamics of abuse, including coercive control and intimate captivity, and the pivotal role of possession and trauma in the successful exertion of control and in extending the damaging effects of abuse. We argue that demonic possession reflects another way in which globally endemic practices of domestic abuse are justified and explained; it provides a means for perpetrators to evade responsibility for abuse, and a way in which the pernicious effects of both abuse and trauma on survivors, their families, and wider society are sometimes dismissed. The paper highlights the significance of culturally-sensitive approaches to domestic violence and trauma as a counterpoint to western-centric understandings. It also stresses the need for locally generated approaches to awareness raising and support services in Malaysia and elsewhere.

Citation

Sahdan, Z., Pain, R., & McEwan, C. (2022). Demonic Possession: Narratives of Domestic Abuse and Trauma in Malaysia. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 47(2), 286-301. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12485

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 16, 2021
Online Publication Date Aug 5, 2021
Publication Date 2022-06
Deposit Date Aug 17, 2021
Publicly Available Date Aug 6, 2023
Journal Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers
Print ISSN 0020-2754
Electronic ISSN 1475-5661
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 47
Issue 2
Pages 286-301
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12485
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1237237

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Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sahdan, Z., Pain, R. & McEwan, C. (2022). Demonic Possession: Narratives of Domestic Abuse and Trauma in Malaysia. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 47(2): 286-301, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12485. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.





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