Transgenerational Traumatization in the Yazidi Community

Abstract

Abstract In recent years Islamic terrorism has manifested itself with an unexpectedly destructive force. Even though in most cases it started locally, it has spread its terror over the whole world. In August 2014, when troops of the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” invaded areas of northern Iraq, they turned on the long-established religious minorities in the area with tremendous brutality, especially toward the Yazidi religious minority. Huge numbers of men were executed, and women and children were abducted and subjected to sexual violence. In an attempt at systematic destruction of the Yazidi community, the religious minority was to be eliminated and the will of the victims broken. The medical and mental health issues of the resulting from the combined subjective, collective, and cultural traumas, last not least followed by the migrant and refugee crisis, are extraordinary and need new and wise concepts of integrated medical care.