Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
What is it?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are intentionally cut, injured or changed, but where there is no medical purpose for this to be done. FGM is typically carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It is very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.
Religious, social or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM. However, FGM is child abuse, it is dangerous and a criminal offence. It is also a criminal offense to carry out vaginal tattoos and piercings on children under the age of 18.
What can Alert Training UK do?
• Alert Training UK is committed to take action if we suspect that a learner is at risk of FGM. Where it is thought that a learner is at immediate risk, the police will be contacted or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, if the learner has already been taken abroad
• We have a team who you can contact if you are worried about FGM
• We review our learners’ welfare regularly via telephone reviews and/or learner visits
• We will continue to make our staff aware of FGM through our Safeguarding Training
• We provide advice and information, including details of national organisations that can help
What should you do?
• I will talk to someone if I think that I am/will be a victim of FGM
• I will talk to someone if I think someone else is a victim of FGM
• I know that I can report my concerns to the Alert Training UK team
If you are worried or have any concerns, please contact Alert Training UK.
During office hours: 01722332212
Outside of office hours: 07967000048
E-mail: damon.saddler@alerttraining.co.uk
Other useful resources
NHS
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal in England and Wales under the FGM Act 2003. It is a form of child abuse and violence against women. FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
Website: www.nhs.uk/fgm
Telephone: 08000283550
NSPCC
The National Society for The Protection of Cruelty to Children advises supports and offers information on all aspects of child abuse and support, including FGM.
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Telephone for children: 08001111
Telephone for concerned adults: 08088005000
HALO
Provides support for victims and advice for agencies. Halo work with our partner organisations, public bodies and other services to enable the best possible protection and safety from harm for victims of any age or gender. Our first priority is to keep you safe from perpetrators of honour based violence, forced marriage and FGM. We also have experience in helping people who are victims of trafficking, sham marriages and domestic violence.
Website: www.haloproject.org.uk
Telephone: 08081788424 (Freephone)