A one-page infographic that highlights the key pieces of legislation in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This includes information on Mandatory Reporting Duties, FGM Specific Laws and the Serious Crime Act 2015.
Document Type: Law, Guidance and Policy
FGM Risk and Safeguarding Guidance for Health
This guide has been created to help health professionals identify and assess the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) for patients in your care and to support the discussion with patients and family members.
Scotland’s National Action Plan to Tackle FGM (2016-2020)
This National Action Plan builds on work that has been happening across Scotland, bringing together best practice alongside Scotland’s national plan, and will help ensure that the necessary steps are taken to put Scotland’s commitment to protecting girls and women from harm into practice.
Best Practice Guideline: A universal FGM flowchart and reporting tool
A practical pathway to support staff compliance with the process of working with a female (adult or child) at risk of undergoing FGM or who has previously undergone FGM.
Understanding the Needs of Children in Northern Ireland
This guide is aimed at professionals who provide services to children, young people and their families, whether they work in the statutory, community or private sectors, who undertake or contribute to assessments under the UNOCINI Assessment Framework.
Male Circumcision: London Safeguarding Children Board Child Protection Procedures
Guidance and procedures regarding male circumcision. Male circumcision is legal in the UK, if both parents agree, but this does not mean it cannot be a safeguarding issue.
The Serious Crime Act: 2015
Section 70(1) of the Serious Crime Act 2015 amends section 4 of the FGM Act 2003 to extend the extra-territorial powers of the law to further protect victims of FGM. It also introduces victim anonymity to victims of FGM similar to that of victims of sexual exploitation. The Serious Crime Act introduces civil measures to protect girls or women who have suffered or are believed to be at risk from FGM. It also introduces a mandatory reporting duty to report known cases of FGM that applies to all regulated professionals.
Female Genital Mutilation Act: 2003
Under the 2003 Act, a person is guilty of an offence if they excise, infibulate or otherwise mutilate the whole or any part of a girl’s or woman’s labia majora, labia minora or clitoris for non-medical reasons. Any person found guilty of an offence under the FGMAct is liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. The Act covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the nationality or residence status of the victim is irrelevant.
Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been unlawful in Scotland since 1985 by virtue of the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. The 2005 Act re-enacts the existing offences in the 1985 Act, and extends protection by giving those offences extra-territorial effect in order to protect those being sent abroad to have FGM carried out.
FGM: RCN guidance for travel health services
This publication acts as a supplement to Female Genital Mutilation: An RCN Resource for Nursing and Midwifery Practice (2016) and focuses on professionals working in travel health services.