Female Genital Mutilation

FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long-lasting harmful consequences.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

The Serious Crime Act 2015 amended the FGM Act 2003 to introduce a mandatory duty on all teachers and regulated health and social care professionals (in England and Wales) to notify the police of any “known” cases (those where either a girl informs the person that an act of FGM – however described – has been carried out on her, or where the person observes physical signs on a girl appearing to show that an act of FGM has been carried out) where FGM has taken place on a child (i.e., anyone under the age of 18). 

If you fall into one of these categories you must report it directly to the police, as well as notify your designated safeguarding lead. The duty does not apply where there are concerns that a child may be at risk of FGM. If you believe there is a risk of FGM  your designated safeguarding lead/children’s social care must be notified immediately, without seeking consent from the family.

Regarding “observing of physical signs”, the guidance notes that it will be rare for most professionals to see visual evidence (other than when, for example, they provide intimate care for a child such as nappy changing or assistance with toileting) and that they should not be examining children.

FGM is abuse. Courts may make FGM Protection Orders which aim to protect specific children from being harmed.

FGM can take place at any age from infancy upwards, often when new-born, during childhood or adolescence, just before marriage, or during pregnancy. It is also known as “female circumcision” or “cutting”, and by other terms such as Sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others. There are no health benefits, but there are risks of serious harm both in the short and long term.

Countries that have significantly high numbers of cases of FGM include Somalia, Egypt, the Sudan, Malaysia and Mali.

FGM can cause severe pain, bleeding, wound infections, inability to urinate, injury to vulval tissues, damage to other organs and sometimes death. Other complications can arise later with the onset of puberty.

There are four types of FGM:

• type 1 – clitoridectomy – removing part or all of the clitoris and/or the clitoral hood;
• type 2 – excision – removing part or all of the clitoris and the inner labia (lips that surround the vagina), with or without removal of the labia majora (large outer lips);
• type 3 – infibulation – narrowing the vaginal opening by creating a seal, formed by cutting and repositioning the labia, with or without removal of the clitoris;
• type 4 – other harmful procedures to the female genitals, including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning the area.

UNICEF estimates that at least 230 million girls and women from 31 countries across three continents have been subjected to the practice, and over 4 million girls are at risk of FGM each year.

Signs that FGM has been carried out may include:

• constant pain;
• repeated infections;
• problems passing urine;
• incontinence;
• bleeding, cysts, abscesses;
• pain during sex;
• depression, flashbacks;
• sleep problems;
• self-harm;
• difficulties participating in PE classes.

Later in life, women may experience difficulties becoming pregnant and those who do conceive may have significant problems with childbirth.

Where there is concern that a girl/young woman is at risk of FGM, you should inform your designated safeguarding lead immediately, and a referral should be made to children’s social care. If she is in imminent danger, report to the police by calling 999 immediately.

If a girl/young woman discloses, or it is suspected that she has already undergone FGM, you must inform your designated safeguarding lead. As mentioned earlier, teachers in England and Wales must also refer ‘known’ cases to the police on 101 under the mandatory reporting duty. The girl/young woman should be offered medical help and counselling. Action should also be taken to protect any other girls/young women in the family and to investigate possible risks to others in the community.

We should not rely on young people to identify their abuse – often they don’t know they are being abused or are unable to tell us for whatever reason. In the case of FGM, they may not even remember it being done if it took place when they were an infant.

Ensure young people know the risks – talk about FGM at an age-appropriate level from the later years of primary school in the same way we do about consent and other issues.

Ensure your setting’s approach to safeguarding against FGM is multi-agency and multi-disciplinary. Key staff should work effectively with partners in social services, health and the police.

Check young people have safe relationships – in their families, with their peers and with your staff. Create an environment where it’s okay to talk even about the most difficult things.

Know the signs and know what to do – use the checklists above, your safeguarding procedures and be confident in raising FGM as a possibility.

Take action – and keep taking action until you know girls and young women are safe.