Escape website quickly

LEARNING CENTRE

FGM

What is it?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the cutting or removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. FGM has no health benefits and can be very harmful.

There are different terms for FGM, including ‘sunnah’, ‘female circumcision’ and ‘female genital cutting’/‘cutting’. National FGM Centre – Traditional Terms for Female Genital Mutilation.

There are 4 main types of FGM, as classified by the World Health Organization. Type 1 and 2 are the most common. These usually include cutting the clitoris.

FGM is usually carried out by a female elder, with no anaesthetic, using basic tools such as knives or razor blades. However, in some countries, doctors perform FGM as an operation. This is called ‘medicalisation’ and it is illegal in most countries as it is still extremely harmful.

FGM can be carried out on a girl anytime between infancy and age 15, and occasionally on adult women, from FGM-affected communities.

Harms that FGM can cause include:

  • Severe pain and blood loss
  • Shock
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Infections
  • Back pain
  • Infertility
  • Risks during pregnancy and birth
  • Psychological harm
  • Death

Reasons for FGM include:

  • To control female sexuality
  • To maintain ‘virginity’ before marriage
  • To prepare for marriage
  • To be part of the group
  • Pressure from family / community
  • Rite of passage and maintaining ‘honour’
  • ‘Out of love’
FGM is illegal in the UK and it is also illegal to take a girl abroad to be cut. Anyone found guilty of an FGM offence – or of helping somebody commit one – faces up to 14 years in prison. Anyone found guilty of failing to protect a girl from FGM faces up to 7 years in prison.FGM Protection Orders can be used to protect a girl / woman. Watch our film to find out more about FGM Protection Orders. Further information on the current law can be found here.

There may be warning signs that FGM is planned / has been carried out on a girl. Please refer to the National FGM Risk Assessment Tool here.

What can we do?

Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger

  • Report to your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 
  • Report to Social Care / MASH if appropriate
  • Link with a specialist agency upon obtaining consent (if the victim survivor is an adult)
  • Offer non-judgmental emotional support
  • Keep accurate records and use professional curiosity when asking questions

Don’t forget the mandatory duty to report if you are a teacher, social worker or healthcare professional.

Specialist support services for FGM

Support is available for anyone who has had FGM, or is at risk of FGM, as well as those who are worried for someone they know.

Oxford Rose Clinic, Specialist clinic for FGM survivors – 07767 671 406

Childline –  0800 1111

National helpline 24/7

Female circumcision, FGM, and cutting | Childline

NSPCC FGM Helpline – 0800 028 3550

Email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health, Research and Development) – 020 8960 4000 www.forwarduk.org.uk

Useful resources

Safeguarding