Cihan’s story: supporting Victoria’s Muslim community

Support for young people often takes a one-size-fits-all approach. Youth worker Cihan Tohumcuer has seen how this cookie-cutter model has left Victoria’s Muslim community behind. Cihan is Muslim himself and grew up in Melbourne’s north watching many of his brothers and cousins using and dealing drugs. “Back in those days, especially with the Turkish and Middle Eastern community, we didn’t really know about any kind of support services out there,” he says. “It was just a massive problem in the family and community.”

Cihan works for the Muslim Youth, Adult and Families program, a drug and alcohol service specifically designed to support the Islamic community. It’s run by a consortium of services including YSAS, and it’s also linked in with the local mosque, which refers young people to the program. The workers are mostly Muslim themselves and have religious knowledge.

“Having that connection with your worker… the rapport can maybe develop quicker. We encourage them to reconnect with God and with faith, because that can be a massive protective factor.”

Cihan says many of the older members of the Islamic community are dealing with trauma that can be passed down to younger generations. “Whether it’s Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt — there’s so many things that have been happening in the last few decades with war and invasion,” he says. Cultural factors in the Muslim community can also stop some people from seeking help. “They will refuse support, and they will refuse to accept that they have had a traumatic experience.”

Cihan likes to take a pragmatic approach to his work. “I will be firm, but in a calm, gentle way,” he says. He encourages his clients to reflect on their actions and what they want out of life. He is also a constant, supportive presence, regardless of what happens. “I’m hoping that will plant the seed to get them to stop and think maybe I should stop doing this stuff,” he says.

He remembers one 13-year-old Muslim teenager he worked with who was really struggling. “He would steal anything, break into anyone’s home, use any kind of drug and get into all kinds of fights,” he says. “I kind of realised this kid’s not going to make any changes soon, but I’ll still keep working with him just to kind of have that relationship.” The young person has now stopped using and has a job with the local mosque, where he also goes regularly to pray.

“It just makes me feel really good to see a young person that’s been through some pretty heavy stuff, and then eventually they just feel like, ‘Okay, that’s enough.'”