Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is Child Abuse
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for procedures, which include the removal of part or all of the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious health consequences, both at the time when the mutilation is carried out and in later life. The procedure is typically performed on girls aged between 4 and 13, but in some cases it is performed on new-born infants or on young women before marriage or pregnancy.
FGM is considered to be a form of child abuse (it is categorised under the headings of both physical abuse and emotional abuse) as it is illegal and is performed on a child who is unable to resist or give informed consent therefore it is essential that a referral into either Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub is made in accordance with the Multi-agency Threshold Guidance (including Referrals)when a practitioner suspects FGM; where the situation is an emergency, the local police should be contacted immediately.
Please see Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures : http://cumbrialscb.proceduresonline.com/
Further Information
Multi Agency Practice Guidelines - Female Genital Mutilation : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/female-genital-mutilation-guidelines
FGM Language Guidance and Questions Guides : Millie Kerr, Lead Practitioner for Anti-Racist Practice at Brighton & Hove City Council, has shared some useful guides on how to ask culturally sensitive questions in relation to FGM and what to consider before making a referral to Children’s social care.
Question Guides:
http://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FGM-Good-Practice-Guidance-for-Social-Workers.pdf - (question guide is in appendix 5)
http://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Question-Guide-FGM.pdf - (Questions guide ONLY)
Questions to consider before referring to CSC:
http://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Referral-Guide-.pdf - (Education and other professionals)
Multi-Agency statutory guidance on FGM:
Female Genital Mutilation: Resource Pack
A government resource which was developed in response to requests for clearer direction from central government about the safeguarding responsibilities of local authorities. This resource pack has been updated in November 2015 to reflect recent legislative changes, including the:
- new mandatory reporting duty for professionals
- introduction of mandatory recording of FGM cases within the NHS in England
- publication of new prevalence data
FGM Training
No available training dates
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