ABSTRACT
Human rights are often violated on account of factors such as the individual's race, language, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic class; or because they are indigenous people, migrants, displaced, or refugees. Mental health professionals conducting immigration evaluations are encouraged to assess and document the change in social status as a result of coming to this country for immigrants and refugees, and the level of stress related to acculturation. A person's gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation are part of their identity, and are related to the manner in which they are perceived and treated in society and their own sense of power or powerlessness. Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM) is a brutal form of gender violence that involves the partial or total cutting of female genitals. Domestic violence is the most common and insidious form of violence against women and girls.
