Female Genital Mutilation Working together to end FGM Edited slide presentation. For information on training contact:- valentine@mojatu.com Claire.Trott@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Key Learning Objectives • To inform participants what is meant by the term FGM and how it can impact on individuals and communities • To raise awareness of indicators and risk factors in the context of our safeguarding and legal responsibilities • To raise confidence in appropriately approaching this subject
• There is no easy way to talk about FGM – although there is no attempt to shock in this presentation, you may find some of the content difficult and may feel upset • Look after yourself - If you need to take a break please do • Our focus is safeguarding children and young people • Ground rules:- respect, responsibility, appropriate language, confidentiality (unless safeguarding concerns) …
What is Female Genital Mutilation? ‘FGM is a procedure where the female genital organs are injured or changed and there is no medical reason for this. It is frequently a very traumatic and violent act for the victim and can cause harm in many ways.’ Multi-agency statutory guidance on FGM – HM Government 2016 � Female Circumcision? � Female Genital Cutting?
Other names within communities Ibiugwu, Omobirin, Kutahiri Wasichana, Gudiniin, Kurua, Khitan, Tahoor, Mekhnishab, Megrez, Niaka, Sunna, Bondo, Khifad
FGM is the mutilation of the labia majora, labia minora or clitoris.
Types of FGM • Type 1 – Clitoridectomy : partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals) and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris). • Type 2 – Excision : partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (the labia are the ‘lips’ that surround the vagina).
Types of FGM • Type 3 – Infibulation : narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris. • Type 4 – Other : all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterising the genital area. Multi-agency statutory guidance on FGM HM Government 2016
Prevalence Percentage of girls and women aged 15-49 who have undergone FGM in Africa, the Middle East, and Indonesia Senegal 25 Gambia 75 Guinea- Bissau 45 Guinea 97 < 10 Sierra 10-20 Leone 20-50 90 51-80 Liberia > 80 50 No data Cote d’lvoire 38 Bukina Faso 76 Ghanna % of 0-11yrs Indonesia 49 4 UNICEF global databases 2016 Togo 5 Benin 9
International and National Statistics • Estimated that up to 200 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM (UNICEF 2016) • Age varies but manly carried out between 5 and 8 yrs • Estimated 103,000 women aged 15-49 and approximately 24,000 women aged 50 + who have migrated to England and Wales are living with the consequences of FGM • Approximately 10,000 girls aged under 15 who have migrated to England and Wales are likely to have undergone FGM. Multi-agency statutory guidance on FGM HM Government 2016
Regional/Local data • Nottingham City ranks 9 th in terms of highest prevalence rates outside of London (2 nd after Leicester City in the East Midlands region) • The FGM prevalence dataset - 849 newly identified individuals with FGM within the Midlands and East area between Sept 14 and March 15 (Health Scrutiny Committee report Dec 2015) • NCH NHS Trust see between 100-200 women a year (2014 freedom of information request) • Between 2005-2013, an estimated 408 girls were born to women with FGM (2.09% of all girls born to women in Nottingham).
Why? Fear: Fear: Psuedo Myths of religious what Rite of happens if reasons you don’t you don’t passage Belief: stops female promiscuity Community belonging Aesthetically desirable Suitable for Belief: Family marriage more honour hygienic
Potential Risk Factors • Any girl born to a woman who has been subjected to FGM • Any girl who has a sister or cousin has already undergone FGM • A girl whose father comes from a practicing community • Belief that FGM is integral to cultural/religious identity. • Strong levels influence and involvement of elders in family life • Limited level of integration within UK community
Potential Risk Factors • Family is not engaging with professionals (health, education or other) • Family is already know to social care in relation to other safeguarding issues • Limited access to information about FGM effects or UK law • A girl whose parent/family member expresses concern that FGM maybe carried out • A girl withdrawn from PSHE at school may be at risk as a result of her parents wishing to keep her uninformed about her body and rights
Possible Signs and Indicators FGM may be about to take FGM may already have taken place: place: • Unexpectedly absent from school • Difficulty walking, sitting or standing • Female family elder visiting from • Spending a long time in the toilet country of origin • Urinary, menstrual or stomach problems • You hear reference to FGM in • Prolonged or repeated absences from conversation school • Talk about a ‘special procedure’ or that • Noticeable behaviour change she is going to ‘become a woman’. • Requests to be excused from • A girl may request help PE/swimming • Parents state that they or a relative will • Girl or family member tell someone or take the child out of the country for a ask for help prolonged period. • May talk about pain or discomfort • A girl may talk about a long holiday to between her legs her country of origin or another country • Increased emotional/psychological where the practice is prevalent needs • Parents seeking to withdraw their children from learning about FGM
Impact on health On Health Emotion / Psychologically • Urine retention – leading to UTIs • Trauma • Complications in pregnancy and • Betrayal childbirth • Loss • Difficulties in menstruation • Feelings of fear around sex or • Bleeding/hemorrhaging intimacy • Sexual dysfunction • Confused • Severe pain and shock • Anxious • Infection • Angry • Fracture • Ashamed • Cysts and abscesses • Defensive • Psychological damage including • Proud PTSD • A sense of belonging • Death • Might not know how they feel
What does the law say? • FGM has been illegal since 1985 (Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985; Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003) • Illegal to take British nationals or UK residents abroad for FGM (whether it’s legal in that country or not) • Illegal to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM in UK or abroad • It’s now under the Serious Crime Act 2015 • It is mandatory for all regulated professionals (teacher, healthcare, social care) to report any cases involving girls under 18 should they discover that FGM has been carried - Use 101, the non-emergency crime number
Refugee Women Voices on FGM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwepmsCr1bw
Working with our communities Mojatu Foundation work • Community FGM Steering • Community engagement Group (formed in March events and sports 2014) • Community magazine, radio • Survivors’ club- Support for and TV presentations survivors • Talks/presentations • Cultural events and • End FGM logo information sessions • Research collaborations • Conferences, workshops and • Partnership with CCFSB Training (Jan 2015). • Film viewings, Interfaith • First City of Zero discussions Tolerance with Sheriff! • Community Champions • Mojatu Foundation in project Parliament!
Safeguarding • FGM is a serious child protection concern (Significant Harm threshold) • We have a responsibility to respond and protect • Follow multi-agency statutory guidance/your services safeguarding procedures/LSB Procedures http://nottinghamshirescb.proceduresonline.com/p _fem_gen_mutil.html • Check FGM is included in policies/procedures
Mandatory reporting duty FGM Protection Orders • If a person in a regulated profession (teacher, healthcare, social care) discovers that FGM has been carried out on a girl U18 they are required to inform the police • Use 101, the non-emergency crime number • FGMPO – a civil order (application by person to be protected, ‘relevant third party’, ‘any other person’.
Safeguarding through Working Together • No single professional can have a full picture of an individual’s needs and circumstances • Multi-Agency and Victim-centred approach needed • ‘Cultural sensitivity must not get in the way of tackling FGM but communicating about it in the wrong way can undermine and damage efforts’ • The safety and welfare of the child is paramount • We should actively seek and support ways to reduce prevalence – working with community organisations and advocates
Recommend
More recommend
