Female genital mutilation (FGM)
What is FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is defined as “all procedures which include the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
FGM is abuse of the human rights of girls and women and is therefore a child protection issue.
FGM is illegal in the UK and it is illegal to prepare, send or take a child to another country.
If you suspect that any girl in Swindon is at risk of being subjected to any form of FGM you must take action to report it immediately by contacting Family Contact Point.
Swindon Safeguarding Partnership has developed a strategy outlining the partnership approach to tackling FGM in Swindon.
Swindon FGM toolkit
Swindon Safeguarding Partnership has developed a toolkit for practitioners who may be working with women who are victims of FGM and children who may be at risk of FGM.
The toolkit includes:
- FGM multi-agency guidance
- Forced marriages, honour based abuse and FGM training
- FGM facts and figures poster​
Swindon Safeguarding Partnership has developed a pocket guide giving key information on FGM. Copies can be obtained free of charge by contacting the SSP Business Unit at: safeguardingpartnership@swindon.gov.uk
Other FGM resources
The National FGM Centre’s vision is to keep children and young people safe from FGM and other harmful practices, including ending new cases of FGM by 2030.
The Centre aims to:
- prevent new cases
- protect children and young people
- support those affected by FGM and other harmful practices
- work together to deliver services and learn
There were 390 case referrals between September 2015 and December 2018 from Local Authorities in East England and London and 14 from other Local Authorities in England and Wales. There have been 23 supported applications of FGM Protection Orders over this time.
As of October 2017, the remit expanded to include Breast Flattening and Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief.
In June 2019 the FGM Centre published its FGM Guidance to Schools
Anyone with concerns or questions about FGM can visit the Government FGM webpages or you can email fgm@fco.gov.uk.
Other national statutory guidance is also available including tackling FGM in the UK: intercollegiate recommendations for identifying, recording and reporting. This is published by The Royal College of Midwives (2013). HM Government has also prodiced multi agency practice guidelines: female genital mutilation (2018).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a clinical handbook on the care of girls and women living with female genital mutilation (FGM). This handbook offers advice on how to: communicate effectively and sensitively with girls who have developed health issues due to FGM, work with patients and families to prevent the practice of FGM and identify when and where to refer patients who need additional support and care.
Training
Local training in FGM is available from Swindon Safeguarding Partnership and the Home Office have issued free online training. Visit the training pages for more information.
