Working with FGM survivors, communities affected by FGM and grass-roots organisations is vital in the work to end FGM and should be incorporated in all aspects of FGM prevention work.
Profession: All Professionals
Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers
Information sharing is vital to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. A key factor identified in many serious case reviews (SCRs) has been a failure by practitioners to record information, to share it, to understand its significance and then take appropriate action.
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.
Tackling FGM in the UK: What works in Community-based prevention
Summary of the findings from the external evaluation of a 3-year initiative to tackle FGM through community-based prevention. Finds that rejection of FGM has increased in areas where community-based preventive work is taking place. Outlines the successful strategies employed by community groups and makes recommendations for policymakers.
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.
In the best interests of the child: preventing female genital cutting (FGC) (Subscription to journal required)
Overview of the international literature exploring Female Genital Cutting (FGC). Addresses the prevalence of FGC, its cultural and social origins, effective prevention strategies, legislative responses and education and health promotion programmes. Authors argue that practitioners in Western countries should be equipped to assist practising communities to recognise the harm of FGC and to change attitudes and practices.
Voices of Women for Frontline Professionals
This leaflet has been produced by survivors of FGM who would like to communicate their needs to frontline professionals. It advocates a sensitive approach to addressing FGM and urges professionals to take time to research and understand the cultural justifications of FGM and avoid causing further harm to women affected by the practice.
FGM Mandatory Reporting Duty
Amendments to the Serious Crime Act 2015, mean that from October it becomes mandatory to report known cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on girls under 18 to the police. The duty applies to all regulated professionals working within health, social care and education in England and Wales. “Known” cases of FGM are those when a child discloses to a professional that she’s had FGM or when a professional observes signs of FGM on a girl’s genitalia.
Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)
GIRFEC is the national approach in Scotland to improving outcomes and supporting the well-being of children and young people by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work in partnership with the services that can help them.
A Statement Opposing Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland)
The Scottish Government has produced a statement opposing FGM to help protect girls from the practice when traveling abroad. Families are encouraged to keep the statement in their passport or wallets and produce it if under pressure to perform the practice overseas. The statement makes it clear that FGM is a crime punishable with 14 years in prison under Scottish law. The statement can be downloaded in a range of community languages from the Scottish Government website.