FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

Transcription

1 FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

2 What is FGM? The term FGM (sometimes known as cutting) refers to partial or total removal or external female genitalia, it also refers to any injury to the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. (1) There are four main types of FGM: 1. Type 1- Clitoridectomy. This is where the clitoris is removed. 2. Type 2- Excision. This is where part/all of the clitoris is removed, along with the inner labia. The labia majora may or may not be removed. 3. Type 3- Infibulation. This is where the vaginal opening is narrowed, usually by creating a seal by cutting and repositioning the labia. 4. Other harmful procedures- This is any other non-medical procedure to the genitals. It might include cutting, scraping, burning, pricking or piercing the area. These procedures are not usually performed by people with any medical training. Painkillers or anaesthetic is not usually used, and girls often have to be restrained for the procedure to take place. What Are The Effects Of FGM? FGM can cause many problems for the women who experience it. These might include: Pain- this can be constant Difficulty having sex Painful sex Infections Infertility Bleeding, cysts or abscesses Problems urinating Urine infections Incontinence Mental problems- depression, PTSD, flashbacks, self-harm Problems giving birth Tuesday, 22 August

3 Death How is FGM Treated? You cannot completely reverse the damage caused by FGM. Women can have surgery, which can open up the vagina, but removed tissue cannot be replaced and damage cannot be reversed. Surgery is usually recommended when a lady has problems with sex, urinating, or risks problems with pregnancy or labour. Why Do People Carry Out FGM? Many communities carry out FGM for cultural or religious reasons, because they mistakenly believe that it will benefit the girl. There are no legitimate reasons to carry out FGM, and it is abuse. FGM and the Law FGM is illegal in the UK. This means that people cannot: Perform FGM Help someone to carry out FGM Aid, abet, counsel or procure a person to commit FGM Encourage or assist someone to commit FGM Attempt to perform FGM Conspire to commit an FGM offence Travel abroad to have FGM Take someone abroad to have FGM Assist someone abroad to have FGM Assist a non-uk resident to carry out FGM outside the UK on a UK resident Tuesday, 22 August

4 If you commit any of the above offences could face a maximum of 14 years in prison. If you fail to protect someone from FGM, you could receive a prison sentence of 7 years, and a fine- or both. By law, victims of FGM are provided with anonymity for their whole life. There are also laws in place to protect girls- for instance, their passports might be seized to stop them travelling abroad for the procedure. Teachers, and health and social care professionals are required by law to report known cases of FGM to the police, where the victim is under the age of 18. What To Do If You Are Worried About Someone If you are worried that someone you know might be subject to, or involved with, FGM in any way, there is support available. You can contact safeguarding@qa.com on working days, or you can contact: NSPCC Your local social services Your local police Forward (Monday-Friday ) O_MT_Updates_to_the_FGM_The_Facts_WEB.pdf (1) What To Do If You Have Been Affected If you have had FGM, you can seek medical advice, as well as emotional support from a number of specialist services. You should speak to your GP, but you can also talk to the NSPCC (details above), or the safeguarding team at safeguarding@qa.com. A member of the team will be happy to talk through your options with you, and advocate on your behalf if you would like. They will even help you speak to medical professionals. Tuesday, 22 August

5 Bibliography 1. Home Office. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) The Facts. Gov.uk. [Online] [Cited: December 7, 2016.] dates_to_the_fgm_the_facts_web.pdf. 2. NHS. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). NHS Choices. [Online] June 16, [Cited: December 7, 2016.] Tuesday, 22 August