Cross-Collaborative Work: Incorporating Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Survivors into Support Services in Virginia

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is recognized in the US and internationally as a human rights violation and a form of gender-based violence. This form of gender-based violence involves the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia and/or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The CDC estimates 500,000+ people have undergone FGM/C. The 2017 arrest of an American-born, South Asian doctor for performing FGM/C on dozens of girls in Michigan made clear that cutting occurs on U.S. soil and within communities not previously acknowledged as practicing FGM/C. News reports in 2019 indicated that FGM/C was occurring in white, Christian communities in Kentucky, further breaking stereotypes that FGM/C did not occur in the U.S.

Even with this growing recognition, however, many service-providers, including law enforcement are not adequately equipped to address FGM/C when they learn of it. This training will provide an introductory foundation for understanding what FGM/C is, including its prevalence in the U.S. and globally, and the role of service providers can have in addressing and responding to this issue. In addition, the training will share key competencies and best practices for working with and interacting with survivors of FGM/C and/or communities that practice it. This workshop intends to increase attendees’ confidence in talking about and addressing FGM/C and provide relevant resources.