Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Sue Gower, KSCB

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1 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Sue Gower, KSCB

HEALTH WARNING This presentation deals with a subject that might have affected some people in the audience, or which some may find difficult to hear.

2 HEALTH WARNING This presentation deals with a subject that might have affected some people in the audience, or which some may find difficult to hear. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE AT ANY TIME However there can be no apologies for the content of this presentation: Female Genital Mutilation is Child Abuse and a current national and local safeguarding priority.

Human Rights Female Genital Mutilation is a fundamental human rights issue with adverse health and social implications (it) violates the rights of girls and women to bodily integrity and results in

3 Human Rights Female Genital Mutilation is a fundamental human rights issue with adverse health and social implications (it) violates the rights of girls and women to bodily integrity and results in perpetuating gender inequality UK All Parliamentary Group on Population Development and Reproductive Health (2000) All girls have the right to live free from violence and coercion, without being forced into marriage or the lifelong physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation. Abhorrent practices like these, no matter how deeply rooted in societies, violate the rights of girls and women across the world, including here in the UK. David Cameron

4 FGM is illegal in England and Wales under the FGM Act 2003 FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against women. Any person found guilty of an offence under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 will be liable to a maximum penalty of a fine or imprisonment of up to 14 years, or both. Section 5B of the 2003 Act introduced a mandatory reporting duty requiring regulated health, social care and educational professionals to report known cases of FGM in under 18s in the course of their professional work to the Police. This duty came into force on 31 October 2015.

What is FGM? FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

5 What is FGM? FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It has no health benefits and harms girls and women in many ways. It is frequently a very traumatic and violent act for the victim. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and hence interferes with the natural function of girls and women s bodies. The practice causes severe pain and has several immediate and long-term health consequences, including difficulties in childbirth, causing dangers to the child.

6 PREVALENCE OF FGM AMONG WOMEN AGED IN AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

7 How is FGM carried out? Varies from community to community but generally by an elder woman in the community Girls are generally restrained by other women UK girls are taken on holiday to become a woman Communities in the UK have their own practitioners here

8 What is used to carry out FGM? Non-sterile, blunt instruments without anaesthetic Razors/blades - often used repeatedly Scissors Shards of glass Sharp stones

9 Why is FGM carried out? Cultural identity or Cultural norm A tribal initiation into adulthood Gender identity Moving from girl to woman enhancing femininity Sexual control believed to reduce the woman s desire for sex and therefore the possibility of sex outside marriage Hygiene/cleanliness unmutilated women are regarded as unclean & not allowed to handle food or water Religion is NOT a basis for FGM

10 A UK Issue.. FGM victims in all areas of UK A study by City University London and Equality Now claims there are women suffering with the consequences of female genital mutilation in every local authority in England and Wales. It found the highest number of victims were in London. The study, produced for the Home Office, says the estimated number of people affected by FGM living in England and Wales has doubled since The Guardian, Page: 12 Evening Standard, Page: 11

11 Prevalence of FGM in the UK Difficult to estimate because of the hidden nature of the crime. However, a 2014 study estimated that: approximately 60,000 girls aged 0-14 were born in England and Wales to mothers who had undergone FGM approximately 103,000 women aged were victims approximately 24,000 women aged 50 and over who have migrated to England and Wales are living with the consequences of FGM. In addition, approximately 10,000 girls aged under 15 who have migrated to England and Wales are likely to have undergone FGM.

12 For the period September 2014 to March 2015: 3,963 newly identified cases of FGM reported nationally; and 60 newly identified cases of FGM reported nationally were under the age of 18.

13 FGM: The reality MOTHERS ARE ALLOWING THEIR DAUGHTERS TO BE CUT IN GLASGOW "There were two children on the estate, one aged 3 years, and the other 2 weeks who were recently cut by the elder women. They use razors, scissors and sharp knives." The Hidden world of female genital mutilation in the UK Sue Lloyd Roberts, BBC Newsnight, 23 July 2012

14 Question: How do we prevent FGM? Answer: Recognise the indicators

15 Indicators that FGM may be about to take place.. The family come from a community that is known to practise FGM, e.g. Somalian, Sudanese and other sub-saharan countries Parents state they will take the child out of the country for a prolonged period A child may talk about a long holiday to a country where the practice is prevalent A child may confide that she is to have a special procedure, celebration or party Mother has previously had FGM performed female children of victims are considered to be at risk

16 Indicators that FGM may have already taken place.. A child may spend long periods of time away from the classroom during the day with bladder or menstrual problems Prolonged absences from School plus a noticeable behaviour change The child requiring to be excused from physical exercise without the support of their GP

New Professional Duty to Report all girls under 18 with FGM to the Police Commenced October 2015 Brought about through the Serious Crime Act 2015 Whenever regulated

17 New Professional Duty to Report all girls under 18 with FGM to the Police Commenced October 2015 Brought about through the Serious Crime Act 2015 Whenever regulated professionals (i.e. health, social care or education) identify that a girl under 18 has had FGM, or if the girl discloses herself, the professional MUST report to the police.

FGM Protection Orders Depending on the circumstances of the case, the police or local authority may wish to consider applying for an FGM Protection Order (FGMPO) This is

18 FGM Protection Orders Depending on the circumstances of the case, the police or local authority may wish to consider applying for an FGM Protection Order (FGMPO) This is a new civil order which made be made by the courts for the purpose of protecting a girl at risk of FGM or protecting a girl against whom an FGM offence has been committed.

19 Failure to comply with the duty... Cases of failure to comply with the duty will be dealt with in accordance with existing performance procedures in place for each profession. FGM is child abuse and professional regulators are expected to pay due regard to the seriousness of breaches of the duty

20 Training/Information KSCB Need to Know Course KSCB e-learning Home Office e-learning DoH FGM Prevention Programme Home Office: Mandatory Reporting of Female Genital Mutilation procedural information You Tube: FGM

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Toolkit

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Toolkit Board Introduction This guidance is to help professionals who have a responsibility to safeguard children and protect and support adults, to identify and assess