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.
Document Type: Law, Guidance and Policy
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.
Female genital mutilation: RCN guidance for sexual health care
This publication focuses on those professionals working in sexual health care services, and their safeguarding duties regarding FGM. Including pathways and guidance.
Delivering compassionate care in school nursing: A case of female genital mutilation. (Requires subscription to journal)
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.
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.
Female Genital Mutilation: Information, Services & Support Guide
The guide is produced as a resource for use in schools by young people and adults who work with young people. It provides basic information on FGM and related health and social issues. It aims to increase awareness of the law and about child protection issues and also offers ideas for helping girls at risk of FGM. The guide provides information of specialist health and support services in the UK.
Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education & Skills
This guidance for Ofsted inspectors is for use from September 2015 when inspecting safeguarding in education, skills and early years settings. It sets out what inspectors must do and what schools can expect, and provides guidance for inspectors on making their judgement. The guidance mentions the need to consider safeguarding arrangements around FGM.
Keeping Children Safe in Education – Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges
This statutory guidance from the Department for Education is issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002, the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and the Education (Non-Maintained Special Schools) (England) Regulations 2011. Schools and colleges must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015
Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act passed on 10th March 2015 places statutory duties to produce a range of local strategies (multi-agency collaboration, awareness raising, training and workplace policies) which will cover FGM