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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Know the facts about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- FGM is a procedure that involves removing or altering part of a girl’s genital anatomy. It is sometimes referred to as cutting.
- The procedure often results in life changing health problems and sometimes death.
- FGM is illegal and a form of child abuse. Those that perform the procedure or facilitate FGM can be prosecuted and face 14 years in prison.
- To remain a virgin is a choice for men and women. Cutting has no links to virginity or staying pure.
- It could happen to anyone: FGM is a global issue. It is important to remember that British people descended from practising communities may be at risk, as might be women who marry into an FGM-practising community.
- The procedure is never safe. FGM performed in the UK is not safer – ‘doctors’ who perform FGM are not endorsed by the NHS and are performing this procedure illegally.
- FGM has no medical benefit. Check the NHS website if you don’t believe us.
- There are no religious reasons to carry out FGM. Religious leaders have come out and said FGM is haram aka forbidden. FGM is a cultural issue, which society i.e. you can help stop.
- Pleasing your parents doesn’t make FGM OK.
More Information
Contact the NSPCC helpline to speak to one of their advisors on 0800 028 3550.
If you or a friend are in immediate danger, or at risk of harm, call 999.
For non-emergency support and help call the free 24-hour FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
This isn’t a women & girl's issue; it's everyone’s issue. Together we can stop FGM.
Help us change attitudes. Learn more about FGM and what other organisations are doing to help those affected:
- The National FGM Centre is a partnership between Barnardo’s and the Local Government Association (LGA) to achieve a system change in the provision of services for children and families affected by FGM.
Visit nationalfgmcentre.org.uk to access and download toolkits to help you talk about FGM. - 28 Too Many undertakes research and provides knowledge and tools to those working to end FGM in the countries in Africa where it is practised, and across the diaspora worldwide.
- Access the latest education resources endorsed by The Schools Charter – united to safeguard children against harmful practices.
- Bal Kaur Howard Training - provides seminars, training courses and workshops for professionals whose role includes working with individuals involved in cases of domestic abuse and of exploitation by individuals or criminal gangs. We specialise in a number of areas including Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriages, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Breast Flattening/Ironing, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) including by county lines gangs, Modern-Day Slavery, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and Extremism and Radicalisation.
- Take a look at our resources page, where you can download our informative leaflet for young people.
FGM is also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others.
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