Female Genital Mutilation
What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
FGM comprises of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genital organs or any other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is most often carried out on young girls aged between infancy and 15 years old. It is often referred to as ‘cutting’, ‘female circumcision’, ‘initiation’, ‘Sunna‘ and ‘infibulation’.
Suspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child may be at risk of FGM. These include:-
• Knowing that a mother or older sibling has undergone FGM
• A girl talks about plans to have a ‘special procedure’ or to attend a special occasion/ celebration to ‘become a woman’.
• A girl’s parents state that they or a relative will take the child out of the country for a prolonged period, or school holidays or when attending for travel vaccinations.
• A girl may talk about a long holiday to her country of origin or another country where the practice is present.
• The girl is a member of the community that is less integrated into UK society and whose country of origin practices FGM.
FGM causes significant harm and constitutes physical and emotional abuse. FGM is a violation of a child’s right to life, their bodily integrity as well as their right to health. The FGM Prevention Programme is a programme of work led by the Department of Health to improve the NHS response to FGM; this includes projects to improve awareness, provision of services and management of FGM, and safeguarding of girls at risk. The UK Law FGM is against the law in the UK and has been a criminal offence since 1985. It is a serious crime that carries a penalty of 14 years in prison. It is an offence to make arrangements for FGM to be undertaken within the UK or to take, or plan to take a child out of the UK for the purpose of FGM.
It is a mandatory duty for a regulated healthcare professional to report any concerns they have about a female under 18 years and record when FGM is disclosed or identified as part of NHS healthcare. As FGM is illegal this should be reported to the Police via the 101 non-emergency number.
The duty is a personal duty which requires the individual professional who becomes aware of the case to make a report; the responsibility cannot be transferred.
There is a mandatory requirement for health care professionals to submit their FGM data for both children and adults via the Health & Social Care Information Centre.
Further details can be accessed on their website: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/FGM. Submission became mandatory for acute trusts, GP practices and mental health trusts in 2015.
If you believe that a victim or potential victim of FGM is in immediate danger, always dial 999. If you are concerned that a child is at risk you must make a referral to Children’s Social Care immediately using your local Safeguarding procedures. The NSPCC has a 24 hour helpline to provide advice and support to victims of FGM, or to anyone who may be concerned a child is at risk – call the helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
Find out more about the signs, symptoms and effects of female genital mutilation:
- Female Genital Mutilation – Prevent & Protect | NSPCC
- Pocket guide for professionals
- Female genital mutilation: resource pack
- FGM organisations offering advice and support
- FGM: help and advice
- FGM practice guidance
- Multi-agency statutory guidance for agencies and professionals involved in safeguarding and supporting women and girls affected by FGM published April 2016.