5.12 Female Genital Mutilation |
RELATED GUIDANCE
See non-statutory government guidance on Female Genital Mutilation - Multi-Agency Guidelines (February 2011).
AMENDMENT
This chapter was reviewed and revised (including the addition of a link to the multi-agency guidelines published by the government in February 2011) for the October 2011 edition of the manual.
Contents
1. Introduction
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for procedures, which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural or other non therapeutic reasons. It is an extremely harmful practice that violates the most basic human rights
Female circumcision, excision or infibulation was made illegal in this country by the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985, except on specific physical and mental health grounds. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 strengthens and amends the 1985 legislation. It makes it an offence for the first time for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to carry out FGM abroad, or to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad, even in countries where the practice is legal.
FGM involves the use of instruments to circumcise, mutilate or alter female genitalia, without reference to medical or surgical procedures, and with or without the supervision of a registered medical practitioner.
This practice is not required by any major religion.
The practice is illegal and medical evidence indicates that FGM causes harm to those who are subjected to it.
Girls may be circumcised or genitally mutilated illegally by doctors or traditional health workers in the UK, or sent abroad for the operation.
2
. Recognition of Risk
Any medical provision for a pregnant woman who has herself been the subject of FGM provides the opportunity for recognition of risk and preventative work with parents.
A child may be considered to be at risk if it is known that older girls in the family have been subject to the procedure. FGM is typically performed on girls aged between 4 and 13, although in some cases it is performed on new born babies or young women prior to marriage or pregnancy
Prepubescent girls of seven to ten are the main subjects, though the practice has been reported amongst babies.
If any agency is informed that a girl has been or may be subject to these practices, a referral must be made to the Surrey County Council Contact Centre.
3. Section 47 Enquiry
FGM must always be regarded as causing Significant Harm and a first Strategy Meeting held within 3 working days of the Referral if:
- There is suspicion that a girl or young woman, under the age of eighteen, is at risk of undergoing this procedure;
- It is believed that a girl or young woman is at risk of being sent abroad for that purpose; or
- There are indications that a girl or young woman has suffered mutilation or circumcision.
In planning any intervention it is important to consider the significance of cultural factors. FGM is generally performed because of the significance, which it has in terms of cultural identity. Any intervention is more likely to be successful if it involves workers from, or with a detailed knowledge of the community concerned.
If necessary legal advice must be taken on the options which could be considered to protect a child.
Under the Children Act 1989, possible legal proceedings could include a Prohibited Steps Order with or without a Supervision Order. Removal from home should be considered only as a last resort.
If the child has already suffered FGM, the Strategy Meeting will need to consider carefully whether to continue enquiries or whether to assess the need for support services.
FGM is a one-off event of Physical Abuse (albeit one that may have grave permanent sexual, physical, and emotional consequences), not an act of repeated abuse and organisational responses need to recognise this.
A girl who has already been genitally mutilated should not normally be the subject of a Child Protection Conference or made subject to a Child Protection Plan unless additional protection concerns exist though she should be offered counselling and medical help. Consideration must be given to any other female siblings at risk.
4. Initial Child Protection Conference
A girl believed to be in danger of genital mutilation may be made subject to a Child Protection Plan under the category of risk of physical abuse, if the criteria are applicable, including the need for the future protection of the child.
The main emphasis of work in cases of actual or threatened genital mutilation should be through education and persuasion. This approach will be reflected in the Child Protection Plan.
End