Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. Although the practice of FGM is concentrated in Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia, recent data suggests that FGM is global. In the UK, FGM is known to be practised within communities that might have migrated from countries where FGM is routinely performed on girls and women. Recent research suggests that those most at risk of experiencing FGM in the UK are 3-8 year old girls. As such, FGM is considered an act of child abuse and domestic abuse.
The consequences of FGM can be potentially lethal. For those who survive the procedure, the physical and mental health implications are life-long and range from recurring infections and difficulties during childbirth to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet, a conservative estimate of around 60, 000 girls under the age of 15 years are at risk of FGM in the UK each year, with a further 137, 000 currently living with the consequences of FGM.
Despite FGM being illegal for 32 years in the UK, there have been no successful prosecutions for this act of violence. In order to reverse this trend, the government announced, in 2015, a mandatory duty for professionals in healthcare, social work, and teaching to report cases of FGM to the police. In order increase professionals’ awareness of FGM and increase their confidence to identify risk indicators of FGM, Equation are holding a three hour in-depth seminar on Understanding and Preventing FGM at Notts County FC on the 7th of December.