Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders

Globally, the exodus of individuals who have been forced to flee their home and seek refuge in countries of safety has led to a refugee crisis. The United Kingdom (UK) has engaged with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in playing a significant role in the long-term resettlement of refugees, half of whom are children and young people. One initiative of such humanitarian resettlement is the Gateway Protection Programme (GPP). To-date, there is a dearth of studies investigating aspects of acculturation that affect the mental health of young refugees resettled under the UNHCR humanitarian programme. This study aimed to explore aspects of acculturation that could enhance the mental health of GPP young refugees several years after resettlement. Using narrative research, a purposive sample of 31 GPP young refugees, who had a minimum of three years stay in the UK, were recruited from local Refugee Community Organisations. Data was collected through a multi-method design combining Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with Visual Arts-Based Narrative Research (VABNR) and analysed thematically. Three overarching themes emerged: People and places; Its nearly all new to me; Finding self. This study contributes important knowledge regarding the mental wellbeing of young people who have engaged in a resettlement programme and offers valuable information for policy makers and mental health professionals working with GPP young refugees

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) trauma and mental health support during the UK lockdown: Exploring women’s experiences

Purpose: This paper reports findings from interviews with seven African-heritage women attending an FGM Clinic in the north of England, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Clinic, established several years prior to the pandemic, provides specialist therapeutic support to women and girls from minority ethnic communities who are affected by harmful ‘traditional’ practices, including FGM. The services provided by the Clinic include early interventions, peer support, community engagement and empowerment around FGM. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected during an online focus group discussion with seven women who had received counselling for FGM, to gain insight into their lived experiences of therapeutic support during the pandemic. Findings: Using Braun and Clarke (2006) six-steps thematic analysis, four superordinate themes derived from the data: Consistency and continuity; Safety in shared experience and creativity; Feeling heard, feeling stronger; Altruism and desire for change. Originality: These themes provide an insight into these women’s experiences of the trauma associated with FGM and receiving mental health support during the pandemic

An evaluation of Support Our Sisters (SOS) - A Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Specialist Psychosocial Service piloted in Salford, Greater Manchester. Pilot Project Evaluation Report

This report details an evaluation of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Support Our Sisters (SOS) Pilot Clinic in Salford, Greater Manchester. The SOS Clinic is hosted by the New Step for African Communities (NESTAC), a third sector organisation based in Greater Manchester, registered as a charity since 2003. NESTAC runs a wellbeing programme for people of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic heritage with a focus on women and young girls who are victims of harmful ‘traditional’ abuse, including FGM

Support Our Sisters (SOS): A Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Specialist Psychosocial Service in Salford, Greater Manchester: A pilot project. Narratives of women whose mental health has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim This research report outlines key findings from an exploratory study with women, living in the UK, who come from a Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practicing community, on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on their mental health. Methodology A focus group discussion took place with seven women recruited from a specialist service for women at risk of, and/or affected by FGM, in Salford, a city located in the Northwest of England. The women were predominantly Muslim, aged between 25 years to 55 years, and were of Black-African and south-Asian heritage. Findings The focus group discussion was analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: (1) Positive testing, negative interpretation, (2) COVID-19 Lockdowns, and (3) Lack of accurate information. Conclusions The study provided insight into the lived experiences of women living in the Northwest of England during the COVID-19 lockdown, in a community in which a high rate FGM is reported to occur. The study identified a range of issues that professionals should explore to better understand how to support the mental health needs of women affected by FGM during pandemics, such as the COVID-19 crisis, in a culturally competent way, without stigmatising their personal beliefs or local communities, and to avoid racial profiling of affected communities

Crossing borders: discussing the evidence relating to the mental health needs of women exposed to female genital mutilation.

The terms ‘Female Circumcision’ (FC), ‘FG Cutting’ (FGC) and ‘FG Mutilation’ (FGM) refer to procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia fornon-medical reasons. In practicing countries, FGC/FC is more widely used, as it is believed to be inoffensive, providing more impartial ways of discussing the practice. Positive beliefs about FC/FGC include virginity, marriage prospects, family reputation, or passage to adulthood. Regardless of terminology, the practice exists in at least 28 African counties, and a few Asian and Middle Easterncountries. In Western society, FGM is considered a breach of human rights, being outlawed in a number of countries. With immigration trends, FGC is now prominent in Western society among practicing communities. While the past decade has seen an increase in studies and recommendations for health-care support related to the physical health consequences of FGM, little is known about the psychological impact and its management. For many girls and women, FGC is a traumatic practice,transforming it to FGM and affecting their mental health. This discussion paper focuses on evidence relating to the mental health consequences of FGM, therapeutic interventions, and the mental health nurse’s role in addressing the needs of this group of women

Resettling into a new life: Exploring aspects of acculturation that could enhance the mental health of young refugees resettled under the humanitarian programme

Globally, the exodus of individuals who have been forced to flee their home and seek refuge in countries of safety has led to a refugee crisis. The United Kingdom (UK) has engaged with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in playing a significant role in the long‐term resettlement of refugees, half of whom are children and young people. One initiative of such humanitarian resettlement is the Gateway Protection Programme (GPP). To date, there is a dearth of studies investigating aspects of acculturation that affect the mental health of young refugees resettled under the UNHCR humanitarian programme. This study aimed to explore aspects of acculturation that could enhance the mental health of GPP young refugees several years after resettlement. Using narrative research, a purposive sample of 31 GPP young refugees, who had a minimum of three‐year stay in the UK, were recruited from local refugee community organizations. Data were collected through a multi‐method design combining focus group discussions (FGDs) with visual arts‐based narrative research (VABNR) and analysed thematically. Three overarching themes emerged: People and places; Its nearly all new to me; and Finding self. This study contributes important knowledge regarding the mental well‐being of young people who have engaged in a resettlement programme and offers valuable information for policymakers and mental health professionals working with GPP young refugees

Resettling into a new life: Exploring aspects of acculturation that could enhance the mental health of young refugees resettled under the humanitarian programme

Globally, the exodus of individuals who have been forced to flee their home and seek refuge in countries of safety has led to a refugee crisis. The United Kingdom (UK) has engaged with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in playing a significant role in the long‐term resettlement of refugees, half of whom are children and young people. One initiative of such humanitarian resettlement is the Gateway Protection Programme (GPP). To date, there is a dearth of studies investigating aspects of acculturation that affect the mental health of young refugees resettled under the UNHCR humanitarian programme. This study aimed to explore aspects of acculturation that could enhance the mental health of GPP young refugees several years after resettlement. Using narrative research, a purposive sample of 31 GPP young refugees, who had a minimum of three‐year stay in the UK, were recruited from local refugee community organizations. Data were collected through a multi‐method design combining focus group discussions (FGDs) with visual arts‐based narrative research (VABNR) and analysed thematically. Three overarching themes emerged: People and places; Its nearly all new to me; and Finding self. This study contributes important knowledge regarding the mental well‐being of young people who have engaged in a resettlement programme and offers valuable information for policymakers and mental health professionals working with GPP young refugees