1. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board
June 2015
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2. What is FGM?
FGM is also called Female Circumcision or Female Genital Cutting
FGM includes any procedure that is designed to alter or injure a female’s genital organs for ‘cultural’ or non medical reasons
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3. FGM is a severe form of violence and a crime – it is a form of child abuse
FGM is based in ancient beliefs surrounding the need to control women’s fertility and sexuality
It is a cultural practice based on custom and tradition, based on the incorrect belief that it protects a girl’s virginity, protects family honour, and enhances a girl’s prospects of marriage.
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4. FGM is not a requirement of any religion
FGM is practiced by Christians, Muslims, Jews, non believers in a wide range of communities and cultures
FGM is not a requirement of any religion
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5. FGM is practiced on children and young women of any age
FGM is most frequently carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
The majority of cases take place between the ages of 2 and 5 years old
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6. FGM Prevalence in the UK
In the UK: Approximately 24,000 girls under age 15 at high risk of FGM
In Swindon:
Estimated that around 400 women and girls have undergone FGM
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7. FGM - at risk communities
UK communities most at risk include: Kenyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Sierra Leonean, Egyptian, Nigerian and Eritrean. Non-African communities that practise FGM include Yemeni, Afghani, Kurdish, Indonesian and Pakistani.
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9. FGM is illegal in the UK
It is also illegal to take a British National or permanent resident abroad to undergo FGM or help someone who is trying to arrange to have FGM performed.
The maximum sentence for carrying out FGM or helping to have FGM performed is 14 years.
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10. FGM - spotting the signs Suspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child is at risk of FGM
Knowing that a mother has undergone FGM
If a girl talks about plans to have a ‘special procedure’ or attend a special occasion to ‘become a woman’.
If parents of young girl state that they or a relative will take the child out of the country for a prolonged period
A girl or woman may talk about a long holiday to her country of origin or a country where the practice is prevalent.
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11. Signs that may indicate that a girl or young woman has already undergone FGM
Difficulty walking, sitting or standing
Prolonged absences from school/college
Spending long periods away from the classroom/office with urinary or menstrual problems
Reluctant to undergo medical examinations
Noticeable changes in behaviour – FGM can result in post traumatic stress
Soreness, infection or unusual presentation when a nappy is changed
Asking for help but not being explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear
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12. FGM – Getting Help
If you are concerned that a child is at risk of, or has undergone FGM, contact Swindon Family Contact Point at or on
NOTE: it is mandatory for the police to report all known incidences of FGM to the Home Office
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13. FGM – Getting Help
The NSPCC has a 24 hour helpline to provide support and advice to victims of FGM, or to anyone who may be concerned a child is at risk
NSPCC Helpline or
or at NSPCC website at
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14. FGM – Getting Help
Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) provides training courses on FGM at
FGM Toolkit and Pocket Guide with useful information and contacts available through LSCB
For more information contact Swindon LSCB at
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