Peer-reviewed article
Polyvictimization and Psychiatric Sequelae Associated with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).
Chen VH, Caron J, Goddard B, Eng SM, Ades V ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined psychiatric outcomes and experiences of multiple forms of abuse among 80 adult survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) at a specialized centre in New York City. Beyond FGM/C, most participants had experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or forced/child marriage. Over half experienced three or more forms of abuse. The research found that FGM/C occurring at age 13 or later and higher total abuse scores were strong predictors of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Key points
- 53.8% of FGM/C survivors experienced physical abuse, 43.8% emotional abuse, 43.8% sexual abuse, 25% forced marriage, 16.3% child marriage
- 51.2% (41 of 80) experienced three or more forms of abuse (polyvictimization)
- FGM/C on or after age 13 was a strong predictor of depression and PTSD
- Higher total abuse scores correlated with depression and PTSD development
- Survivors attributed substantial psychiatric symptoms to their FGM/C despite co-morbid abuses
Limitations
This is a retrospective chart review from a single specialized centre serving sex trafficking survivors in New York City, so findings may not be generalizable to all FGM/C survivors or to survivors in other settings or countries. The study cannot establish causation or fully disentangle the independent psychiatric effects of FGM/C from those of other forms of abuse.
Abstract
Female Genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is associated with enduring psychiatric complications. In this study, we investigate the rates of co-morbid abuses and polyvictimization experienced by survivors of FGM/C. This is a sub-analysis of a cohort study examining the patient population at the EMPOWER Center for Survivors of Sex Trafficking and Sexual Violence in New York City. A retrospective chart-review of electronic medical records was conducted for all consenting adult patients who had FGM/C and had an intake visit between January 16, 2014 and March 6, 2020. Of the 80 participants, ages ranged from 20 to 62 years with a mean of 37.4 (SD = 9.1) years. In addition to FGM/C, participants were victims of physical abuse (43; 53.8%), emotional abuse (35; 43.8%), sexual abuse (35; 43.8%), forced marriage (20; 25%), child marriage (13; 16.3%), and sex trafficking (1; 1.4%). There was a high degree of polyvictimization, with 41 (51.2%) experiencing 3 or more of the aforementioned abuses. Having FGM/C on or after age 13 or having a higher total abuse score was also found to be strong predictors of depression and PTSD. The high rates of polyvictimization among survivors of FGM/C are associated with development of depression and PTSD. Despite co-morbid abuses, patients still attribute substantial psychiatric symptoms to their FGM/C. Health care providers should understand the high risk of polyvictimization when caring for this patient population.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- None - this is an observational study documenting prevalence and associations, not an intervention evaluation
- Population
- 80 adult survivors of FGM/C (ages 20-62, mean 37.4 years) receiving care at a specialized centre for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual violence in New York City
Key finding
51.2% experienced polyvictimization (3 or more forms of abuse)