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Female Genital Mutilation

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. Sometimes it is also referred to as female circumcision, female genital cutting and Sunna (NSPCC). FGM has no health benefits and internationally it is recognised as a violation of human rights. The practice is illegal in the UK and can cause severe damaging effects to physical and emotional health.

What can you do?
READ:
The Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership Policy, which provides guidance and assists with multi-agency responses. Policy here

VISIT:
FGM – National FGM Centre
Female genital mutilation (who.int)
Government publications-female-genital-mutilation-resource-
pack

WATCH:
Watch this new film on FGM here. (A new video from the Welsh Government with young people shouting out about FGM ending the silence.)
NSPCC: Ending Female Genital Mutilation

DO: Government E-Learning E-learning training
USE: Home Office Leaflet to raise awareness

Please click here to view our FGM policy

According to FORWARD UK:

60,000 girls under 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK
137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK

The NSPCC highlights some signs and symptoms of a girl or woman who may have has FGM:

There may be a difficulty in sitting down, walking or standing
may spend a longer period of time in the bathroom or toilet
they may be behaving unusual after being absent from school or college
there may be a reluctant to have normal medical examinations
May ask for help but may not be explicit about the problem as they feel embarrassed or fearful

Advice and Assistance
Please contact 999 if you think a person is in immediate danger of FGM

FGM Assessment Tool

This FGM assessment tool will be useful to practitioners.
Click here.

Please click here for a short film on FGM.

This short animated film on female genital mutilation (FGM) was created by British activist and filmmaker Ruth Beni and has won the gold world medal at the 2016 New York Festivals honouring the best TV and films.

NHS FGM Campaign
Department of Health launched a new NHS FGM campaign. They’ve recorded a video, called ‘FGM: The Facts’ on NHS Choices – www.nhs.uk/fgm The film features a roundtable table discussion led by Henry Bonsu, a well-known British African broadcaster, together with a panel of experts all speaking openly and candidly about FGM. Alongside the film, they have also produced some short social media videos which are being distributed via Facebook. The film has been broadcasted on several UK African satellite TV channels.