Uploaded November 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
THIS TALK CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT.
Through her work as a criminal investigator, Rabiaa El Garani facilitates healing and seeks justice for survivors of sexual abuse and violence in conflicted areas of the world. As Rabiaa explains, "For me it has been the experience of a lifetime to work with these survivors, because I share their sorrow, their language and their culture. We connect on the deepest human level—this itself is an act of healing—to be heard, to be seen, to be given compassion instead of condemnation."
Rabiaa has worked to make important advances in changing societal attitudes toward the survivors, so in some instances instead of facing shame, rejection and honor killing as a result of the sexual violence they have experienced, survivors are treated as victims and embraced by their former communities. This shift has been lifesaving, empowering some survivors to dare to escape captivity and return to their families and homes.
Watch Rabiaa's 2018 TEDMED Talk, "Hope and justice for women who've survived ISIS" to learn more about her important work. Visit TEDMED.com to read more about Rabiaa and her work.
THIS TALK CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT.
Through her work as a criminal investigator, Rabiaa El Garani facilitates healing and seeks justice for survivors of sexual abuse and violence in conflicted areas of the world. As Rabiaa explains, "For me it has been the experience of a lifetime to work with these survivors, because I share their sorrow, their language and their culture. We connect on the deepest human level—this itself is an act of healing—to be heard, to be seen, to be given compassion instead of condemnation."
Rabiaa has worked to make important advances in changing societal attitudes toward the survivors, so in some instances instead of facing shame, rejection and honor killing as a result of the sexual violence they have experienced, survivors are treated as victims and embraced by their former communities. This shift has been lifesaving, empowering some survivors to dare to escape captivity and return to their families and homes.
Watch Rabiaa's 2018 TEDMED Talk, "Hope and justice for women who've survived ISIS" to learn more about her important work. Visit TEDMED.com to read more about Rabiaa and her work.
