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

Abstract

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.