|
It is generally assumed that FGM is psychologically harmful
to girls and women; many publications make references to
adverse psychological effects. FGM can be an extreme and
devastating experience for some recipients, so that
psychologists are, not unreasonably, expected to answer
questions about the psychological impact without hesitation.
But an absolute answer to these questions would compromise
not just the evidence base but more importantly, the
diversity, complexity and multiplicity in the realities of
women and girls who have undergone FGM. Psychologists could
perhaps more usefully deploy their skills in helping to
‘unpack’ the questions and provide tentative answers (or
hypotheses) based on available literatures. This would allow
the question to be re-framed in ways that make it more
answerable through research and practice in future, taking
into account the many constraints placed on providing
definitive answers. This is the overall aim of the section.
Suffice it to say, however, that FGM is illegal in the UK
and interventions to prevent it should not be predicated on
proof of negative psychological consequences.
The three broad objectives of this section are addressed in
a number of subsections. The first objective is to outline
what I believe are some of the key challenges that FGM poses
for British psychologists. The second is to hypothesise some
of the likely consequences of FGM with which psychological
practitioners might provide assistance. In the final part, I
offer tentative suggestions as to how psychologists might
begin to improve knowledge and skills in relation to care
and prevention through research and practice. A list of
useful contacts is offered at the end of the section, as are
suggestions for further reading. |
