Cultural Perspectives ~~~~~ Presented by: Fatuma Hussein
UNITED SOMALI WOMEN OF MAINE VOCA TRAINING 7.2.2015 New Mainer Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Initiative 2 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Increase the cultural and linguistic awareness of Maine service providers who work with immigrant or refugee victims of domestic violence, dating Violence or sexual assault. 3 1
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Objectives: Demonstrate similarities and differences in the experience of DV and Sexual Assault in refugee and immigrant populations Explore the unique needs of immigrant/ refugee victims Provide information on resources - advocacy, legal, language access, etc. 4 WHO ARE YOU SERVING? Immigrant: A foreign-born individual who has been admitted to reside permanently in the U.S. Refugee: Any person who is unable to return to his/her country because of a well founded fear of persecution due to ethnic, political, religious or other affiliations. Asylee: An individual who has sought protection for fear of persecution. Protection is generally sought upon arrival in a third country. 5 JOURNEY TO WELL-BEING Link between migration & resettlement health burden: Pre-migration: exposure to infectious & parasitic diseases, physical & psychic trauma During migration: malnutrition, exposure to the elements, physical & psychic trauma Post-migration: increasing susceptibility to chronic diseases, problems of resettlement (racism, unemployment, ESL, etc..) 2
ACCULTURATION: The process of adapting to a new culture. This involves understanding different systems of thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and communication systems. Does not mean one gives up his/her native culture Refers to each individual s unique blend of the two or (more) cultures 7 VULNERABLE SUBGROUPS (MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL OR ADDITIONAL ATTENTION) * Children/Youth * Women * Elderly * Survivors of Torture The elderly are among the most invisible groups of refugees and displaced persons. I hope to change that. Sadako Ogata, UNHCR Geneva, 1997 8 FACTORS THAT COULD IMPACT ONE S EXPERIENCE OF ACCULTURATING: Age Circumstances that brought one to a new country immigrant/refugee/asylee/undocumented, etc. Historical experience Degree of difference between native culture & new culture Emotional or psychological feeling towards the new culture Presence of community and other sources of support Opportunities for making a life in the new culture work/classes/family, etc. 9 3
Barriers To Access DV & SA System BARRIERS TO ACCESS THE DV & SA SYSTEM 1. Language: - Unable to express needs - Unable to understand provider s advice and directions 2. Interpreters: - Qualifications: Bilingual vs. Interpreter - Culturally inappropriate interpreters/ Conflict of Interest 11 BARRIERS TO ACCESS THE DV & SA SYSTEM 3. Lack of Acknowledgment -Not educated enough regarding DV & SA - Cultural differences 4. Access to services/service delivery - Hard to navigate the system -Not empowered - Culturally not appropriate services 12 4
BARRIERS TO ACCESS THE DV & SA SYSTEM 5. Transportation: - Many new arrivals don t have their own cars - Rely on friends/family to get to appointments - New to the Area, unfamiliar with directions - Comfort level using public transportation 6. Legal System -Access to legal services may be a barrier or abuser who take advantage of the legal system 13 MOST ESSENTIAL NEED OF PROVIDERS: An appreciation of the legal, physical, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional implications of being a refugee. 14 July 2, 2015 APPROACHING SERVICE DELIVERY Offering culturally responsive services could include a consideration of or attention to the following: One s own cultural lens The significant cultural differences that might relate to domestic violence and sexual assault. Culturally distinct views of domestic violence and sexual assault. Where the individual is on the continuum of acculturation. The individual s experience of coming to or living in the US. 15 5
July 2, 2015 SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES IN CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS/VALUES/BELIEFS THAT MIGHT IMPACT DV & SA SERVICES: Western ways of approach to domestic violence and sexual assault Ideas of independence vs. community Involvement of family and the expectation that family values Position of the victim in the social structure of a community Appropriateness of cross-gender communication and interaction 16 ADDITIONAL TRAINING AVAILABLE Multicultural Panel Presentations Language Access Legal Services Trainings on Specific Cultures/Religions Growing Up American 1 st generation refugees or immigrants Religious/Political Refugees Cultural Considerations in Health Care 17 UNITED SOMALI WOMEN OF MAINE 265 Lisbon St ( 2 nd Floor) P O Box 397 Lewiston, Maine 04243 Tel: 207-753-0061 Fax: 207-753-0071 Contact Person: Fatuma Hussein fhussein@uswofmaine.org www.uswofmaine.org 18 6
Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision An Introduction Fatuma Hussein United Somali Women of Maine March 22, 2012 United Somali Women of Maine Founded in 2001 Promotes self sufficiency for refugee families Advances gender understanding & cultural sensitivity among people, and; Empowers refugee families to proactively build strong families & community stability. Provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services for victims/survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault. Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision Definition All procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non medical reasons. 1 Sometimes referred to as female genital circumcision, female genital cutting, female genital excision. 1 World Health Organization. (2012). Female genital mutilation fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/ 1
FGM/C Different Procedures 2 You may see variations of the following: Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris). Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora. 2 World Health Organization. (2012). Female genital mutilation fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/ FGM/C Different Procedures Continued Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris. Other: all other types of procedures to the female genitalia for non medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, and cauterizing the genital area. FGM/C Key Facts 3 FGM/C has no health benefits Procedures can cause serious issues: severe bleeding, problems urinating, cysts, infections, infertility, complications in child birth, post traumatic stress disorder, increased risk of newborn deaths 140 million women and girls worldwide have received FGM/C 92 million of those women are in Africa Number of women who have received FGM/C in the United States is unknown 3 World Health Organization. (2012). Female genital mutilation fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/ Women s Health. (2009). Female genital cutting fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our publications/factsheet/female genital cutting.cfm 2
FGM/C Key Facts Continued Widely believed to be a practice of Islam, but is practiced in Islamic, Judaic, and Christian countries and communities. Religion is sometimes used to promote FGM/C, but no religion officially supports (and in fact many often condemn) FGM/C. FGM/C Why does it happen? 4 Social pressure & established cultural practice. Where FGM/C is considered the norm there is pressure to continue the practice. FGM/C is often part of community tradition. Most parents who support FGM/C believe they are protecting their daughter s future marriage prospects, and not hurting her. FGM/C A Human Rights Issue Considered a human rights violation by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Opposed by the American Medical Association No informed consent No medical benefits Extreme health risks 3
FGM/C Current Events 5 Currently occurring in 28 countries (estimate) Countries currently committed to abandoning FGM/C or considerably scaling back FGM/C practices: Burkina Faso Guinea Bissau Djibouti Kenya Egypt Senegal Ethiopia Somalia Gambia Sudan Guinea 5 UNFPA UNICEF Joint Programme for the Acceleration of the Abandonment of FGM/C. (2011). Key results and highlights. Retrieved from http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/publications/pid/6435 FGM/C What Can You Do? Educate yourself about FGM/C. Maintain an open & compassionate mind if you encounter a woman or girl who has experienced FGM/C. When you encounter a woman or girl who has undergone FGM/C, record what type of procedure was performed. FGM/C What Can You Do? Continued Know that performance of FGM/C is against the law in the United States for children under 18. Offer culturally sensitive education about FGM/C. If you are using an interpreter to talk about FGM/C with a patient, female genital cutting is the most easily interpreted term, and may be considered less offensive to some. 4
FGM/C What Can You Do? Know your community resources, and use them for additional information or referrals for culturally sensitive counseling when necessary. United Somali Women of Maine Catholic Charities of Maine Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault Maine Coalition To End Domestic Violence Questions? United Somali Women of Maine http://www.uswofmaine.org/ P.O. Box 397 Lewiston, ME 04243 (207) 753 0061 Fatuma Hussein fhussein@uswofmaine.org 5