Exploring Female Genital Cutting Among Survivors of Torture.
Though the practice of female genital cutting (FGC) has been framed as a form of gender-based torture, few studies have examined the prevalence and impact of the practice among documented survivors of torture. This article presents a secondary analysis of data from 514 African-born women at an interdisciplinary clinic for survivors of torture. Results indicate few demographic differences between those who experienced FGC and those who had not, though a larger proportion of the FGC group were West African and identified as Muslim. Many with FGC were in the process of applying for asylum, reported sexual and psychological torture, and cited gender as a basis for their persecution. The FGC group evidenced unique correlates related to immigration status and psychological and sexual torture experiences that the non-FGC group did not. Findings indicate that female survivors of torture with FGC represent a distinct group with specific mental health needs.
Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture, New York, NY, 10016, USA. aakinsulure-smith@ccny.cuny.edu.|Department of Psychology, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA. aakinsulure-smith@ccny.cuny.edu.|The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10017, USA. aakinsulure-smith@ccny.cuny.edu.
Adeyinka M
AM
Akinsulure-Smith
The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10017, USA.|Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY, 11210, USA.
Tracy
T
Chu
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D063507:Sexism / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology*
Female circumcision; Female genital cutting; Female genital mutilation; Forced migrants; Human rights; Torture