FGM Awareness

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done.

What is FGM?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done.

In 2015, it was estimated that there were 137,000 women aged 15+ living with the consequences of FGM in the UK. During the year April 2017 to March 2018, 6,195 women and girls survivors of FGM in the UK accounted for 9,490 attendances recorded in NHS services. For 4,495 of these women and girls, it was the first time they were included in national datasets as FGM survivors.

In Nottingham, similar to preceding years, there were 65 newly recorded cases reported in the FGM dataset by healthcare providers. Almost all of the women identified were between the ages of 18 and 39 years. The majority of women had undergone this before the age of 14 years with a significant number of them having had FGM before they were 12 months old. The country of origin and where the procedure was carried out was mostly situated in Africa.

Nottingham, a city of zero-tolerance towards FGM

Nottingham is one of the first places in the UK to declare zero-tolerance of FGM. Schools, health services and community services receive training to identify and prevent FGM.

Indicators that FGM may be about to take place include

A girl is unexpectedly absent from school.
A female family elder has recently arrived from the family’s country of origin.
You overhear references to FGM in conversations.
The girl or her family talk about a “special procedure” or say that she is going to “become a woman.”
The girl directly asks for help.
Parents state that they, or a relative, will take the child out of the country for an extended period.
A girl mentions a long holiday to her country of origin, or to another country where FGM is commonly practised.
Parents attempt to withdraw their child from lessons about FGM.
FGM has already happened to another female family member.

Risk Indicators: FGM may already have taken place

The girl has difficulty walking, sitting, or standing.
She spends an unusually long time in the toilet.
She experiences urinary, menstrual, or abdominal problems.
She has prolonged or repeated absences from school.
There is a noticeable change in her behaviour.
She requests to be excused from PE or swimming.
The girl, or a family member, discloses information or asks for help.
She talks about pain or discomfort between her legs.

Services

Nottingham FGM clinic for women over 18 years old

The clinic is nurse/midwife led and based at City Hospital Campus and Queens Campus. The clinic offers advice, referral to urogynaecology, consultant obstetrician, social care, honour based abuse team, counselling, ante natal care and assessment, de-infibulation, post-surgery and post natal follow up.

This clinic can be accessed by calling 0115 9691169 ext 55239.

To find out more go to, Nottingham FGM clinic for women over 18 years old

If a child is at immediate risk of FGM then the police must be notified by calling 999. For other concerns around children and FGM contact can be made with the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.

Mojatu Foundation

The Mojatu Foundations provides community based support for survivors of FGM and those at risk of FGM, further details can be found at Mojatu Foundation website

NHS National FGM Support Clinics

National FGM Support Clinics are a place for women with FGM to discuss their health needs in a sensitive and non-judgmental environment.

The services are provided by an all-female team and include:

physical assessment and treatment (including de-infibulation if required)
emotional support and counselling
general information
access to FGM Health Advocates
referral to a specialist consultant, if needed

To find out more, go to NHS National FGM Support Clinics

Leeds FGM Support Clinic

Find out more at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS

National FGM Centre

A national FGM centre has been set up, details of this can be accessed at National FGM Centre

Further Resources

FGM resource pack: Female genital mutilation: resource pack - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
FGM ‘The Facts’ leaflet: Promotional material overview: Female genital mutilation: the facts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A booklet which provides details of support, FGM female genital mutilation (FGM) The facts - Gov.UK [PDF]
Female genital mutilation pocket guide for health care professionals NHS [PDF]
Signs that a girl could be at risk of FGM - Welsh / English poster
FGM Support Clinics Info Leaflet - Welsh and English - Welsh Government [PDF]
Government statement opposing FGM. This outlines what FGM is, the legislation and penalties involved and the help and support available. The statement is often referred to as a health passport and is available in multiple languages, go to Government statement opposing female genital mutilation (Gov.UK)

Learning and Training

You can register for the free FGM E-learning course here: Registration - Enable (vc-enable.co.uk)