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Trauma-Informed Care for Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
Common Assumptions
FGM/C doesn't occur in the U.S.
FGM/C happens in the U.S. The most recent case happened in Michigan where a doctor performed FGM/C on nine girls (DoJ, 2017).
FGM/C doesn't have long-term consequences
FGM/C has short and long term, physical and psychological consequences (WHO, 2019)
Only Muslim people practice FGM/C
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The practice is found among women and girls from different religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism
(Robinson, 2008).
Only black immigrant families practice FGM/C in the U.S.
Although it is more prevalent among people of color from immigrant communities, FGM/C is found among white women in the U.S. (Equality Now, 2020).
FGM/C is not a crime in the U.S.
In the U.S., FGM/C has been a federal crime since 1996. This law was amended in 2013 to include "vacation cutting," which criminalizes the transport of girls outside of the U.S. for the purpose of FGM/C.
Only children are at risk of FGM/C
Although FGM/C is often performed on minors, there are women who have undergone it as adults, depending on their cultural beliefs.
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Maya Angelou
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