FGM
Female Genital Mutilation
What is FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation is any procedure which involves the partial or complete removal of the
external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
FGM is a tradition practised in 28 African countries and parts of Asia and Latin America. Justifications for FGM include custom, cleanliness, religion (no religion advocates FGM), preservation of virginity and social acceptance especially for marriage.
Many women believe that FGM is necessary to ensure acceptance by their community; they are
unaware that FGM is not practised in most of the world.
Who is at risk?
School-age girls in the UK from ethnic minorities especially Somalian, Sudanese and Ethiopian where up to 98% of women have been circumcised. NHS Bristol estimates that 1236 girls were at risk of FGM in Bristol in September 2008. Women who have undergone FGM may also need medical attention or other support such as counselling.
What are the warning signs?
Summer holidays are a key time when some adults take their daughters on ‘holidays’ with the intention of subjecting them to FGM.
Elders are also flown into the UK to perform FGM on many girls together. If any girls in a family have
undergone FGM then this increases the risk for other girls in the family.
It is important to note that FGM is not an act of hate by parents. Uninformed girls may look forward to this ‘rite of passage’ into woman-hood as it signifies their status in the community and is often accompanied by parties and giving of presents.
Girls who have undergone FGM may have a long absence from school. When they return they might spend a long time in the toilet, they could be in pain and may exhibit symptoms of abuse and/or a change in behaviour.
What can you do?
If you are concerned that a girl is at risk of FGM, this is a child protection issue and must be shared with CYPS, and / or the Police Child Protection team.
If you work in a school ensure that parents are aware that FGM is illegal in the UK regardless of the country in which it is performed. Give parents a copy of the FGM Community Support & Information leaflet. Note that the community terminology is ‘circumcision’ or ‘cutting’ rather than ‘FGM’. Find out more through FGM awareness training for professionals.
Professionals and volunteers from all agencies have a statutory responsibility to safeguard children from being abused through FGM
