This report describes findings from the second phase of My Voice, a participatory action research project on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Scotland. The first phase of My Voice aimed to document perceptions, attitudes and experiences of FGM among specific groups within affected communities, including young women (under 25 years), young men and older men, as well as religious leaders. In this second phase the focus has been on women over 25, arguably the most affected group, who are mostly married or have been married, with children and in many cases dealing with the negative health impacts of FGM.
Profession: All Professionals
Responding to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) In Scotland – Multi Agency Guidance
This guidance provides a framework within which agencies and practitioners can develop and agree processes for working collaboratively and individually to promote the safety and wellbeing of women and girls and supplements agencies and organisations own policies and procedures on FGM.
FGM Legislation in the UK – Infographic
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.
Breast Flattening Leaflet
This leaflet can be downloaded and contains information about Breast Flattening (ironing) in the UK context. This leaflet can be used by professionals as well to understand what the risks and indicators may be.
Breast Ironing Factsheet
This fact sheet covers:
- What Breast Ironing is, prevalence and reasons for practice
- The law
- Risks and Indicators
Culture and Faith question guide for professionals
This question guide can be used by multi-agency professionals to explore culture, faith, or belief with families within a holistic assessment of risk in any case of child protection.
It is important to make consideration to an individual and family’s home context as child-rearing beliefs and practices have strong associations with an individual’s culture, faith or belief, socioeconomic status, and immigration background. In order to understand a family holistically, it is important to consider parenting practices, and the ways in which culture, faith or belief has influenced an individual’s parenting. One way to do this is to ask families about their backgrounds.
National FGM Centre Community Consultation: Barnet Harmful Practices Strategy
The National FGM Centre was commissioned by Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership to obtain community member’s views and attitudes about a range of harmful practices. The data collection method involved the use of focus groups. Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership’s plan is to use the findings of the focus groups to inform their violence against women and girls strategy. Therefore this report gives voice to the participants and by extension communities. It should be viewed as a starting point to build on developing pathways for change.
Listening and learning: discussions with women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM)
The FGM Sister Study is one of the UK’s largest qualitative studies exploring the views of FGM survivors, male partners and healthcare professionals on the timing of deinfibulation (opening) surgery and NHS FGM service provision. This is a report of two discussion groups facilitated by the National FGM Centre (NFGMC) in November and December 2019. A total of ten women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) and who had experience of FGM in their community took part in the discussions. The report is part of a wider piece of research by the University of Birmingham on the timing of deinfibulation (opening) surgery and the FGM care received from the National Health Service (NHS).
The FGM Sister Study
The FGM Sister Study is one of the UK’s largest qualitative studies exploring the views of FGM survivors, male partners and healthcare professionals on the timing of deinfibulation (opening) surgery and NHS FGM service provision.
The FGM Sister Study is a partnership between the University of Birmingham, the National FGM Centre, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
This report is based on part of the research, which focused on a national stakeholder event held in London on the 23rd January 2020. This National Stakeholder event marked the culmination of 2 1?2 years of positive research collaboration between the National FGM Centre and the core research partners.
Community Consultation on Harmful Practices (Barnet)
The National FGM Centre was commissioned by Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership to obtain community member’s views and attitudes about a range of harmful practices. This report features the findings.