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.

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 - Everybody's Business website
• Letter from Jane Ellison, Parliamentary under secretary of State for
  public health – Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• CPD certified FGM training - Home Office online course 
• KRSCP FGM Briefing for Schools in Kingston and Richmond
• Forward UK 
• London LSCB - FGM
• FGM Helpline - Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk or telephone: 0800 028 3550
• FGM health services
• Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines: Female Genital Mutilation
• Home Office Female genital mutilation: resource pack
• Female genital mutilation is abuse poster
• Female genital mutilation: the facts
• The National FGM Centre
• NHS England - Female Genital Mutilation - Care and
  Prevention
   

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.