Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a painful, non-medical procedure undertaken on girls and young women which can seriously harm their long-term health. It is a form of child abuse that is illegal in the UK. It’s estimated over 60,000 young women under 15 may be at risk of FGM in England and Wales each year, and approximately 137,000 women and girls are living with the consequences of FGM. The true extent is unknown due to the ‘hidden’ nature of the crime. The NHS FGM annual report identified 5,395 cases in England in 2020-2021.
Young women may be taken to another country to be mutilated during the summer holidays. Some young women may be abused in the UK. The procedure is traditionally carried out by a woman with no medical training. Anaesthetics and antiseptic treatments are not generally used, and girls may have to be forcibly restrained.
FGM is part of a group of abusive practices known collectively as harmful practices.