Female Genital Mutilation
FGM IS ILLEGAL
FEMALE CIRCUMCISION & CUTTING
There are an estimated 137,000 women and girls affected by FGM in England and Wales (Figures taken from NSPCC). Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a growing cause of concern in all schools, including primary school.
FGM is child abuse and a form of violence against women and girls, and therefore it is dealt with as part of existing child and adult safeguarding/protection structures, policies and procedures. It is illegal in the UK to subject a child to female genital mutilation (FGM) or to take a child abroad to undergo the procedure – Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Despite the harm it causes, FGM practising communities consider it normal to protect their cultural identity. The age at which girls are subject to FGM varies greatly from shortly after birth to any time up to adulthood.
Staff at Medway Primary School have completed FGM training as part of our safeguarding procedures.
-
FEMALE CIRCUMCISION, FGM, AND CUTTING
How to get help if you’ve had FGM What to do if you're worried it could happen to you I'm worried bad things will happen if I speak up How to help someone else
The mandatory reporting duty for FGM under the Serious Crime Act 2015, requires teachers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM in under 18 year olds to the police. Guidelines on Mandatory reporting can be found on the link below:
-
Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation: procedural information
Gives relevant professionals and the police an understanding of the female genital mutilation (FGM) mandatory reporting duty.
-
Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation
Multi-agency guidelines on FGM for those with statutory duties to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.
Advice and counselling for anyone affected by FGM can be found on the link below - This will take you to the FORWARD website:
If you are worried that a child is at risk of, or has had FGM, you can call the FGM helpline. It is free, anonymous and they are available 24 hours.
Call them on 0800 028 3550
or email them at: