SACRED EXPLOITATION: A FAIRCLOUGHIAN ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY SPIRITUAL HEALERS IN SUDAN AND MOROCCO

Sexual violence remains a recurring issue that often affects women, even within the context of healing practices.A BBC Arabic investigative report has revealed cases of sexual violence perpetrated by spiritual healers against female patients in Sudan and Morocco, where the perpetrators exploit their authority to manipulate and abuse victims.This research aims to analyze the manipulative strategies employed by spiritual healers, the impacts on victims, and the factors enabling the perpetuation of such acts.The study employs a qualitative descriptive method using Norman Fairclough's critical discourse analysis approach.The dimensions analyzed include text, discursive practices, and social practices.The research findings show that perpetrators utilize various manipulative strategies, including religious justifications, isolating victims, using sedatives, psychological exploitation, and physical abuse disguised as healing rituals.The impacts on victims include physical consequences such as pregnancy, psychological effects like depression, severe trauma, and family pressure, as well as social repercussions such as societal stigma.This phenomenon is driven by inadequate government oversight, victims' fear of reporting, and limited public understanding of the boundaries of spiritual healing practices.In the socio-cultural context, societal reliance on spiritual healing is influenced by religion, tradition, economic factors, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.The study concludes that the misuse of spiritual healing is not merely an individual issue but a systemic one.The findings emphasize the urgent need to strengthen regulations, provide public education, and raise awareness about the dangers of power-based abuse.