Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. It is a serious violation of human rights and has severe health and psychological impacts. If you or someone you know has undergone FGM, it is crucial to know how to report it and access support.
Select a topic below for more detail, and contact details for organisations which can help.
The NHS website has in-depth information on this topic. View their FGM pages for information on:
A general background to the topic
- Different types of FGM
- Reasons why it is practised
- The time when girls are most vulnerable to this abuse
- Different names for the procedure
Medical issues
- Potential effects of FGM on women's mental and physical health
- Medical procedures to 'reverse' or reduce the harm caused by FGM
- How to get medical help following FGM
Support for victims
- Specialist FGM clinics, who can offer medical and emotional support
The law
- legal duties of healthcare and other professionals to report FGM
For yourself or someone in your family
If you're under pressure to have FGM performed on your daughter or another family member, ask a GP, health visitor, teacher, or another healthcare professional for help.
Supporting others
Visit the NSPCC website for useful information and guidance in identifying women and girls at most risk of FGM, and the signs that FGM has already happened.
Visit our website, if you want to report your concern about the welfare of a child.
Get an FGM protection order
Visit the GOV.UK website for help and guidance about how to get a legal protection order, to safeguard someone at risk of FGM, or who has had FGM and may need help to travel or stay safe. If you are abroad and need help or advice, please call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on +44 (0) 20 7008 1500.
Get a 'health passport' (statement opposing FGM)
You can view and download the GOV.UK Statement opposing FGM, in English or over ten other languages. You can use this to inform anyone who is planning on carrying out FGM of the health risks and the penalties for breaking UK law.
Know the UK law on FGM
If you are a professional working with communities or for a support organisation where there is a higher risk of FGM, raising awanress of the law may help to protect women and girls from FGM. Visit the Criminal Prosecution Service web page on the law and FGM to learn more about the details of UK legislation, how it applies, and the penalties for breaking it.
Report to the police
Use a non-emergency method of reporting if:
- you feel there is a risk to you or someone you know, but you don't think there is immediate danger
- you are suffering from the effects of FGM
- you have any information relating to suspected acts of FGM, or the people involved (including family members who are planning it, or involved in taking someone to another country for the purpose of FGM)
You can use any of the following non-emergency ways of reporting to the police:
- Call 101 (police non-emergency) or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111.
- Visit a police station in person.
- If reporting online is the safest way for you to get in touch, visit the Avon and Somerset Police web page on FGM, or complete their crime and incident report form.
Report to us
- If you believe a child or young person is at risk of abuse and would like to report a concern, please call B&NES Childrens Social Care Team on 01225 396312 or 01225 396 313 during normal office hours, or 014 5461 5165 (for our out of hours emergency duty team).
- For adults with care and support needs, please ring B&NES Community Services team on 01225 396000.
There are a wide variety of organisations which can offer emotional, legal and medical help to anyone affected by FGM. Many are staffed by, or aim to support, particular communities, and also offer services related to other forms of violence or abuse. You may prefer to see someone locally, or contact an organisation by phone or online.
| Organisation | Aims | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Refugee Women of Bristol | A multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation for refugee women in Bristol |
|
| Bristol FGM Clinic | NHS clinic to help with the medical and emotional harm caused by FGM (services available to all women over 18 who are registered with a local GP) |
|
| Organisation | Aims | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| NSPCC | 24/7 helpline for families or professionals |
|
| Halo Project | Supporting victims of honour-based violence, forced marriage and FGM |
|
| Childline | Website and helpline providing advice and support to children and young people with any issue they are going through. |
|
| Organisation | Aims | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| IKWRO |
Support around FGM, forced marriage, and honour-based violence, for Middle Eastern, North African or Afghan women and girls Languages available: Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, and English |
|
| FORWARD | International women's rights organisation led by African women |
|
| National FGM Centre | Teaching resources for professionals to use with children at KS1 to KS3 |
The resources below are designed for women and girls in who may be at risk of FGM, as well as for the education of children, communities, and to help professionals in their work to protect women and girls.
For women and girls at risk of FGM and their communities
- B&NES FGM Information Leaflet
- FGM Facts Leaflet (produced by the Home Office)
For professionals and organisations working to prevent FGM and support victims
- Home Office Female Genital Mutilation Resource Pack.
- Key Facts about FGM from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- National FGM Centre FGM assessment tool (for social workers)
- FGM Resource Guide for Councillors and those working in safeguarding (produced by the Local Government Association)