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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Swindon Local Safeguarding Children BoardJune 2015

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What is FGM?

• FGM is also called Female Circumcision or Female Genital Cutting

• FGM includes any procedure that is designed to alter or injure a female’s genital organs for ‘cultural’ or non medical reasons

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FGM is a severe form of violence and a crime – it is a form of child abuse

FGM is based in ancient beliefs surrounding the need to control women’s fertility and sexualityIt is a cultural practice based on custom and tradition, based on the incorrect belief that it protects a girl’s virginity, protects family honour, and enhances a girl’s prospects of marriage.

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FGM is practiced by Christians, Muslims, Jews, non believers in a wide range of communities and cultures

FGM is not a requirement of any religion

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FGM is practiced on children and young women of any age

FGM is most frequently carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.The majority of cases take place between the ages of 2 and 5 years old

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FGM Prevalence in the UK

In the UK:Approximately 24,000 girls under age 15 at high risk of FGM

In Swindon:Estimated that around 400 women and girls have undergone FGM

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FGM - at risk communities

UK communities most at risk include: Kenyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Sierra Leonean, Egyptian, Nigerian and Eritrean. Non-African communities that practise FGM include Yemeni, Afghani, Kurdish, Indonesian and Pakistani.

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FGM is illegal in the UK

It is also illegal to take a British National or permanent resident abroad to undergo FGM or help someone who is trying to arrange to have FGM performed.The maximum sentence for carrying out FGM or helping to have FGM performed is 14 years.

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FGM - spotting the signsSuspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child is at risk of FGM

Knowing that a mother has undergone FGM If a girl talks about plans to have a ‘special

procedure’ or attend a special occasion to ‘become a woman’.

If parents of young girl state that they or a relative will take the child out of the country for a prolonged period

A girl or woman may talk about a long holiday to her country of origin or a country where the practice is prevalent.

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Signs that may indicate that a girl or young woman has already undergone FGM

Difficulty walking, sitting or standing Prolonged absences from school/college Spending long periods away from the classroom/office

with urinary or menstrual problems Reluctant to undergo medical examinations Noticeable changes in behaviour – FGM can result in

post traumatic stress Soreness, infection or unusual presentation when a

nappy is changed Asking for help but not being explicit about the

problem due to embarrassment or fear

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FGM – Getting Help

If you are concerned that a child is at risk of, or has undergone FGM, contact Swindon Family Contact Point at FCP@swindon.gov.uk or on 01793 466903

NOTE: it is mandatory for the police to report all known incidences of FGM to the Home Office

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FGM – Getting HelpThe NSPCC has a 24 hour helpline to provide support and advice to victims of FGM, or to anyone who may be concerned a child is at riskNSPCC Helpline 0800 028 3550 orEmail fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk or at NSPCC website at http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/

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FGM – Getting HelpSwindon Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) provides training courses on FGM at www.swindonlscb.org.uk

FGM Toolkit and Pocket Guide with useful information and contacts available through LSCB http://www.swindonlscb.org.uk/wav/Pages/FGM.aspx

For more information contact Swindon LSCB at LSCB@swindon.gov.uk