Information for Professionals - Female Genital Mutilation

In the UK there is mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM) for professionals. FGM is a form of child abuse and sexual abuse and domestic abuse. It's dangerous and a criminal offence in the UK.

FGM is dangerous and a criminal offence in the UK. We know:

there are no medical reasons to carry out FGM
it's often performed by someone with no medical training, using instruments such as knives, scalpels, scissors, glass or razor blades
children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained
it's used to control female sexuality and can cause long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health.

FGM can happen at different times in a girl or woman's life, including:

when a baby is new-born
during childhood or as a teenager
just before marriage
after giving birth

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and violates the rights to health, security and physical integrity of the person and to be free from torture, cruel and degrading treatment. Professionals have a duty to safeguard everyone, including women and girls, which means tackling FGM is an integral part of their role. Effective action must be taken to do so, without allowing themselves to be inhibited by fear of doing or saying the wrong thing. FGM is sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’.

FGM is illegal in the UK. It is also illegal to take a British national or permanent resident abroad for FGM or to help someone trying to do this. Mandatory reporting of FGM has been in place since October 2015.

Mandatory reporting of FGM

It is important that any referral regarding FGM contains as much information as possible. This will help ensure that the referral is directed appropriately and a fully informed assessment is made.

See further guidance on gathering information for a good referral here: Referral Guide (nationalfgmcentre.org.uk)

The Government guidance on mandatory reporting of FGM FGM_Mandatory_Reporting_-_procedural_information_nov16_FINAL.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) states that regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales must make a report to the police by the close of the next working day.

You must also make a referral to Doncaster Council Children’s Services, following child safeguarding policies and procedures.

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