Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Accepted in Part
Many FGM survivors lack access to appropriate specialist counselling services
Conclusion
FGM survivors often suffer psychosexual, emotional and mental health complications from undergoing FGM. However, many FGM survivors do not have access to appropriate counselling services, with many FGM services not offering any counselling to FGM survivors and others offering counselling which is not appropriate or tailored for their needs. (Conclusion, Paragraph 27)
Government Response Summary
The government states FGM support clinics offer counselling, with local variation determined by ICBs. It highlights the ongoing expansion of NHS Talking Therapies, whose workforce receives training to support individuals impacted by abuse, including trauma-focused therapies, implicitly addressing the need for appropriate mental health support for FGM survivors.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Response: Integrated Care Boards and NHS Trusts commission FGM support clinics which offer a range of services to support women affected by FGM including physical treatment, counselling and further referrals to urology, gynaecology etc. depending on clinical need. There are at least 24 clinics across England, many of which accept self-referrals as well as referrals from health professionals. The NHS also provides clinical intervention, including deinfibulation, to manage medical complications associated with FGM. Every Integrated Care Board (ICB) is expected to provide support pathways relevant to their local population. How each ICB chooses to meet the needs of their population will differ and in some higher-prevalence areas we know Women’s Health Hubs will be used to provide FGM services. For example, in Tower Hamlets, the Women’s Health Hub brings together healthcare professionals and existing services to provide integrated women’s health services in the community that include multidisciplinary FGM services and access to appropriate specialist care pathways. FGM clinics and Women’s Health Hubs that offer FGM services provide information on FGM to attendees, as well as signposting to non-health related local services and access to FGM Health Advocates. FGM clinics and Women’s Health Hubs are commissioned locally; some provide access to counselling onsite by dedicated counsellors, and others commission local services or refer to standard NHS pathways. Women affected by FGM who need specialist mental health support can be referred to NHS services such as NHS Talking Therapies. DHSC is continuing to expand these services this year and across the Spending Review period. More adult victims and survivors experiencing trauma will therefore have access to high-quality mental health support through Talking Therapies, which offer well-governed, evidence-based, and effective psychological therapy services for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders as well as post-traumatic stress reactions. The workforce within NHS Talking Therapies receive training on how to support individuals impacted by abuse. This workforce includes therapists trained in trauma focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.