Abstract

Sexual violence aimed at minority women in the Middle East has been greatly overlooked and systematically ignored. The stigma associated with sexual assault, grounded in honor-based cultural codes, religious conservatism, and patriarchal norms, frequently perpetuates secondary violence through imposed silence. This study analyses how minority groups, such as Yazidis, Assyrians, Kurds, and Mandaeans, respond to the intersecting influences of gender, ethnicity, and religion, with sexual violence serving as both a tool of oppression and a symbol of communal shame. Cultural taboos function as destructive tools that control bodies, regulate grief, and limit voice. The study draws on memoirs (such as Nadia Murad’s The Last Girl and Badeeah Hassan’s A Cave in the Clouds), survivor testimonies, NGO reports, and theoretical frameworks from Judith Butler and trauma studies to examine this phenomenon. Sexual violence remains a critical issue, particularly within Middle Eastern minorities, where cultural taboos and stigma contribute to the challenges faced by survivors. This study emphasises the importance of survivors' narratives, presenting storytelling as a form of resistance. It advocates for frameworks that address stigma, strengthen legal protections, and facilitate communal healing.