Female genital mutilation: guidance for professionals

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It may also be referred to as female circumcision, female genital cutting and Sunna.

The act is prohibited in the UK and has a serious negative impact on both physical and mental health. 

Please contact 999 if you think a person is in immediate danger of FGM. 

For more information read the London Child Protection Procedure and other statutory and best practice guidance:

• London Child Protection Procedure
• Multi-Agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation (HM Government)
• Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation procedural information (Department for Education)
• Female genital mutilation risk and safeguarding guidance for professionals (Department for Health)
• FGM guidance for schools (National FGM Centre)