What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
FGM comprises of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genital organs or any other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is most often carried out on young girls aged between infancy and 15 years old. It is often referred to as ‘cutting’, ‘female circumcision’, ‘initiation’, ‘Sunna’ and ‘infibulation’.
FGM in the UK
It is estimated that 65,000 girls aged 13 and under are at risk of FGM in the UK. UK communities most at risk include Kenyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Sierra, Leonean, Nigerian and Eritrean. Non-African countries that practise FGM include Yemen, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand (South) and Pakistani. Please note this list is not exhaustive
Spotting the signs
Suspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child may be at risk of FGM. These include:-
- Knowing that a mother or older sibling has undergone FGM.
- A girl talks about plans to have a ‘special procedure’ or to attend a special occasion/ celebration to ‘become a woman’.
- A girl’s parents state that they or a relative will take the child out of the country for a prolonged period, or school holidays or when attending for travel vaccinations.
- A girl may talk about a long holiday to her country of origin another country where the practice is present.
- The girl is a member of the community that is less integrated into UK society and whose country of origin practices FMG.
Signs that a child may have already undergone FGM:-
- Difficulty walking, sitting or standing.
- Spending longer than normal in the bathroom or toilet due to difficulties urinating.
- Soreness, infection or unusual presentation noticed by practitioner when changed a nappy or helping with the toilet.
- Spending long periods of time away from the classroom during the day with bladder or menstrual problems.
- Having frequent unusual menstrual problems.
- Prolonged absence from school or college.
- A prolonged absence from school or college with personal or behaviour changes e.g. withdrawn, depressed.
- Being particularly reluctant to undergo normal medical examinations.
- Asking for help or advice but not being explicit about the procedure due to embarrassment or fear.
FGM is child abuse
FGM causes significant harm and constitutes physical and emotional abuse. FGM is a violation of a child’s right to life, their bodily integrity as well as their right to health.
The FGM Prevention Programme is a programme of work led by the Department of Health to improve the NHS response to FGM; this includes projects to improve awareness, provision of services and management of FGM, and safeguarding of girls at risk.
The UK Law
FGM is against the law in the UK and has been a criminal offence since 1985. It is a serious crime that carries penalty of 14 years in prison. It is an offence to make arrangements for FGM to be undertaken within the UK or to take, or plan to take a child out of the UK for the purpose of FGM.
What to do if you are concerned or have been made aware FGM has occurred
The duty is a personal duty which requires the individual professional who becomes aware of the case to make a report; the responsibility cannot be transferred.
It is a mandatory duty for a regulated healthcare professional to report any concerns they have about a female under 18 years and record when FGM is disclosed or identified as a part of NHS healthcare.
As FGM is illegal this should be reported to the Police via 101 non-emergency number. If you believe that a victim or potential victim of FGM is in immediate danger, always dial 999. If you are concerned that a child is at risk you must make a referral to Doncaster Council.
The NSPCC has a 24 hour helpline to provide advice and support to victims of FGM, or to anyone who may be concerned a child is at risk – call the helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk