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Female Genital Mutilation

What is female genital mutilation (FGM)?

FGM is when a female’s genitals are deliberately altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It’s also known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘cutting’, but has many other names.

You might have heard female genital mutilation (FGM) be called a different name. Some common names for FGM include:

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female circumcision

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cutting

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sunna

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gudniin

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halalays

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tahur

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megrez

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khitan

The National FGM Centre also has a list of traditional terms (PDF) that you might find helpful.

FGM is a form of child abuse. It’s dangerous and a criminal offence in the UK. We know:

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there are no medical reasons to carry out FGM

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it’s often performed by someone with no medical training, using instruments such as knives, scalpels, scissors, glass or razor blades. The risk of infection is significant.

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children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained

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it’s used to control female sexuality and can cause serious and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health.

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

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when a baby is new-born

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during childhood or as a teenager

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just before marriage

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during pregnancy

Signs of FGM

A child who’s at risk of FGM might ask you for help, but some children might not know what’s going to happen to them, so it’s important to be aware of the signs.

Signs FGM might happen

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A relative or someone known as a ‘cutter’ visiting from abroad
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A special occasion or ceremony takes place where a girl ‘becomes a woman’ or is ‘prepared for marriage’

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 A female relative, like a mother, sister or aunt has undergone FGM

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 A family arranges a long holiday overseas or visits a family abroad during the summer holidays

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A girl has an unexpected or long absence from school
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 A girl struggles to keep up in school

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 A girl runs away – or plans to run away – from home

Signs FGM might have taken place

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Having difficulty walking, standing or sitting

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 Spending longer in the bathroom or toilet

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 Appearing quiet, anxious or depressed

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 Acting differently after an absence from school or college

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 Reluctance to go to the doctors or have routine medical examinations

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 Asking for help – though they might not be explicit about the problem because they’re scared or embarrassed

If a child reveals abuse

A child who has faced, or is worried about, FGM might not realise what’s happening is wrong, or they might even blame themselves. If a child talks to you about FGM it’s important to:

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listen carefully to what they’re saying

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let them know they’ve done the right thing by telling you

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tell them it’s not their fault

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say you’ll take them seriously

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don’t confront the alleged abuser

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explain what you’ll do next

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report what the child has told you as soon as possible

Effects of FGM

There are no health benefits to FGM. It can cause serious harm, including:

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severe and/or constant pain

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infections, such as tetanus, HIV, hepatitis B and C, or sepsis

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pain or difficulty having sex

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infertility

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bleeding, cysts and abscesses

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difficulties urinating or incontinence

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organ damage

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problems during pregnancy and childbirth, which can be life-threatening for the mother and baby

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 mental health problems, such as depression, flashbacks and self-harm

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death from blood loss or infections.

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