Developing cultural competence and cultural humility strategies to address the needs of Afro-Caribbean survivors of sexual trauma.

Developing cultural competence and cultural humility strategies to address the needs of Afro-Caribbean survivors of sexual trauma.

Description

Studies and focus groups with Afro-Caribbean population reveal a high prevalence of sexual violence victimizations left untreated due to customary avoidance of mental health services out of community shame, beliefs, and fear. Counseling services tailored to the general African-American population are less helpful to Afro-Caribbean groups due to cultural priority differences and immigration factors. With the limited research on this group, how can mental health providers develop cultural competency skills to address the rampant issue of sexual trauma with Afro-Caribbean group? What are some of the ways community organizations can tailor outreach services to serve this group? What can we learn from Afro-Caribbean immigrants in the US that will inform existing mental health services?

Patricia Mura Desert, a Haitian-American Social Worker, and sexual trauma survivor uses community assessment results done by her ministry, Afro-Caribbean individuals’ narratives, including her own, to promote awareness on the mental health needs of this population. This presentation aims to educate mental health providers on the importance of both cultural competence and cultural humility strategies to dismantle the silent psychological suffering of Afro-Caribbean survivors of sexual trauma in the US, and how providers of any race can contribute to a global impact by starting to make a difference in their own communities.

Learning Objectives

1. Using cultural competency and cultural humility approaches to address the issues of sexual trauma with Afro-Caribbean groups.
2. Identifying and understanding three barriers to mental health services for Afro-Caribbean groups.
3. Developing three outreach strategies to impact Afro-Caribbean communities.