This is often called ‘female cutting’ or ‘female circumcision’ and is described by the WHO as any procedure involving the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

FGM is illegal in the UK and carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

FGM is classed as child abuse [Female Genital Mutiliation Act 2003 amended 2015] and it is illegal to:

• Perform FGM in the UK
• Assist or arrange for anyone to carry out FGM outside the UK on girls who are British
              Nationals or habitual UK residents
• Assist a girl to carry out FGM on herself
• Fail to protect a girl from the risk of FGM

FGM carries a mandatory reporting duty and parental liability.

www.gov.uk : FGM - the facts

Warning indicators:

• Significant changes in behaviour/demeanour
• Absence from school, particularly after a trip to an FGM practising country
• Spending long periods of time out of the classroom
• Spending longer than usual going to the toilet
• Avoiding going to the toilet
• Discomfort when sitting
• Avoiding physical exercise (PE classes)
• Frequent menstrual or urinary infections

NOTE:  Often, children are completely unaware that FGM is going to take place; this can mean very few warning signs before it occurs.

Reporting:

National FGM Helpline:    0800 028 3550

Police:   101 or, in an emergency, 999

FORWARD :  0208 960 4000 (support if you suspect a girl has already undergone FGM)
 

 Links to external support services:

National FGM Centre:    http://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk/

NHS Choices:  NHS Female Genital Mutilation FGM

NSPCC:  NSPCC:  Child Abuse - Female Genital Mutilation

Womankind:  Links to further support sites & contact numbers