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 is illegal in the UK. It is estimated over 20,000 young women under 15 are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK each year, and 170,000 women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM. The true extent is unknown due to the ‘hidden’ nature of the crime. Recent reports identified 5,702 new cases in England in one year.
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 also part of a group of abusive practices known collectively as harmful practices.