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Counselling professionals’ awareness and understanding of female genital mutilation/cutting: Training needs for working therapeutically with survivors
Author(s) -
Jackson Charlie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1002/capr.12136
Subject(s) - safeguarding , thematic analysis , demographics , psychology , female circumcision , qualitative property , quarter (canadian coin) , medical education , qualitative research , medicine , nursing , social science , gynecology , demography , archaeology , machine learning , sociology , computer science , history
Background There is a dearth of literature that has looked at the psychological impact of female genital mutilation/cutting ( FGM /C), and little is known about the understanding and awareness of FGM /C amongst counselling professionals. Method An online survey was completed by 2073 BACP members. The survey covered four broad themes: demographics; awareness and understanding of FGM /C; experience of working therapeutically with survivors; and FGM /C training. Descriptive and inferential analyses were undertaken on quantitative data, and thematic content analysis was undertaken on qualitative data. Results Only a small proportion of respondents (10%) had knowingly worked with survivors of FGM /C. Overall, respondents lacked confidence in their awareness and understanding of FGM /C, including their safeguarding duties. Having cultural respect, knowledge and understanding was perceived as the most helpful factor when working with this client group. Less than a quarter of respondents had undertaken any training with regard to FGM /C, although the vast majority expressed a desire to do so. Discussion This research has highlighted the importance of improving signposting to existing training and educational resources around FGM /C, as well as the need to develop new resources where appropriate. The importance of embedding cultural competency into core practitioner training, not just training specific to FGM /C, is paramount.