Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

The Word Health Organization defines Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as “all procedures that involve the partial or complete removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical purposes”. FGM is also referred to as ‘female genital cutting’ or ‘female circumcision’.

This practice is not limited to communities from African countries, and is also practiced in communities from Middle East and South East Asian countries. Genital alteration for cosmetic reasons is considered a form of mutilation.

FGM is child abuse and a form of violence against women and girls, and therefore should be treated as such. FGM is illegal in the UK. It is a practice which takes place worldwide in at least 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It also takes place within parts of Western Europe and other developed countries, primarily among immigrant and refugee communities.

You can report any concerns to the Police on the non-emergency 101 telephone number.

Some useful resources can be found below:

NSPCC: Protecting Children from FGM
Sundial Centre for Education on Harm Practices: Sundial Centre for Education on Harmful Practices