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.
Section: FGM
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Practical Guidance for Ealing Schools
This guidance has been produced to promote the practical steps a school can take to make sure that everyone – including pupils, parents and staff – knows about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and can play their role in safeguarding girls and young women from FGM.
FGM Risk and Safeguarding: Guidance for Health Professionals
Practical help to support NHS organisations developing new safeguarding policies and procedures for female genital mutilation (FGM). It can be used by health professionals from all sectors, particularly designated and named safeguarding leads, and local safeguarding children board members. Based on existing NHS best practice. Includes the Department of Health Risk Assessment Tool and Safeguarding Pathways
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Addressing FGM in schools: teaching, learning and support (including presentation)
This resource has been developed with the support of the Home Office and Department for International Development. It offers guidance on teaching about FGM as part of the PSHE curriculum. Additionally, it aims to raise awareness among staff about the warning signs of FGM and the responsibilities of school staff in this regard.
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.