Murder raises domestic violence issue

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Domestic violence is tough for any woman in any community.

The recent decapitation of an Orchard Park woman has brought the issue to the forefront, in large part, because the victim and the accused killer, are Muslim.

We are getting a better understanding of the role culture plays in escaping violence.

Many people in the local Muslim community knew of the violence in Aasiya Zubair Hassan's marriage to her husband, Muzzammil.

Attorney Nadia Shahram said, "These are personal matters. You don't go out and talk about them publicly."

Now, people are talking at community forums like this one at the University at Buffalo.

Aasiya was found beheaded in a hallway at Bridges T.V. in Orchard Park. She had filed for divorce and got a restraining order against her husband about a week before her murder.

Shahram said, "To have a restraining order against. She was a brave woman and she must have had enough."

Beyond that. To get away from violence is not easy for Muslim women.

"Muslim families, they try to resolve it themselves. Again between families on both sides," said Shahram. "That would make it much harder for the wife to get a divorce if the husband doesn't give his okay."

"Sometimes it takes months, sometimes years for a woman to bring herself and say I have had enough. I am going to get a divorce whether my family allow it or not," Shahram added.

Shahram said, "There's notning honorable about honor killings."

"Something positive we can take from this case," said Shahram.
News 4 asked, "And what would that be?"
Shahram said, "That Muslim women and families come out and acknowledge the existence of domestic violence."

"To put so much light on it not to scare those women who should seek help," said Shahram.