This article examines a case study of a school nurse’s involvement with a family at risk of FGM. Although the children were safeguarded appropriately, opportunities were missed to support the family to address the psychological impact of FGM. Specialist services designed to work with communities where FGM is practiced exist around the UK but are few in number and have limited resources.
Country: UK
FGM: Frequently Asked Questions. A Campaigner’s Guide for Young People
This guide gives easy to understand answers to the frequently asked questions on FGM. It is aimed at a young audience but the information can be used with a wider audience.
REPLACE Approach: Supporting Communities to end FGM in the EU
The Replace Approach to ending FGM was developed over 5 years by a European partnership between Forward UK, Coventry University, FSAN (Netherlands), CESIE (ITALY), APF (Portugal) and Gabinet d’Estudis Socials (Spain). The work was funded by Daphne III action grants. REPLACE is based on the principle that ending FGM requires behaviour change on behalf of affected communities.
Counter-Extremism Strategy
This strategy is about countering all forms of extremism: violent and non-violent; Islamist and the neo-Nazi. The strategy also explores harmful traditional practices including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage and so-called Honour-Based Violence as extreme forms of violence against women and girls that are deeply harmful and often stem from a wider view that denies women core human rights.
Female genital mutilation: abuse unchecked
The Home Affairs Committee has published a report about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Recommendations include: the Government should introduce stronger sanctions for professionals who fail to record FGM data; the FGM Unit should be a joint effort between the Home Office, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and more.
A systematic review of doctors’ experiences and needs to support the care of women with FGM. (Subscription to journal required)
The study aimed to examine the FGM experiences and educational needs of doctors with respect to FGM in low, middle and high-income countries. The goal was to identify the medical training and continuing professional development of doctors so that they can better care for women and advocate against the practice.
PANT’S – FGM Lesson Plan
This workshop uses a simple animation that embeds FGM into the already widely known and familiar NSPCC PANTS resource in an age appropriate and sensitive way. This resource is aimed primarily at children in years 5 and 6. The lesson plan could also be used on a one to one basis to help educate a child as part of on-going work.
FGM: A Muslim Issue?
This blog by campaigner and psychotherapist Leyla Hussein examines whether FGM is an Islamic practice. It gives facts about why FGM is not a Muslim issue but also discusses the responsibility of religious leaders across all main religions to take a stand against the practice. You can also download a leaflet on FGM and Islam for families.
Guidance on refugee claims relating to FGM
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides guidance on the treatment of claims for refugee status relating to female genital mutilation (FGM). Under certain circumstances, a parent could also establish a well-founded fear of persecution, within the scope of the 1951 Convention refugee definition, in connection with the exposure of his or her child to the risk of FGM.
NHS Specialist Services for Female Genital Mutilation
The document provides a list of NHS Specialist services for survivors of Female Genital Mutilation. Women who have undergone Type 3 FGM can access de-infibulation services (opening up). The clinics provide services for both pregnant and non-pregnant women and some of the clinics also provide counselling and emotional support.