Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done.
Female genital mutilation (FGM), sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’, is illegal in the UK.
It’s also illegal to take abroad a British national or permanent resident for FGM, or to help someone trying to do this.
All healthcare professionals have a mandatory duty to report cases if they are ‘concerned that a child may have had FGM or be at risk of FGM’.
External Resources
Department of Health and Social Care: FGM Mandatory Reporting in Healthcare and Procedural Information.
Gives relevant professionals and the police an understanding of the female genital mutilation (FGM) mandatory reporting duty.
Female genital mutilation (FGM): guidance for healthcare staff: Guidance and resources about FGM for healthcare professionals.
Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation
Multi-agency guidelines on FGM for those with statutory duties to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.
The National FGM Centre: Resources and training aimed at keeping children and young people safe from FGM and other Harmful Practices, including Breast Flattening and Spirit Possession, Witchcraft, and Ritualistic Abuse.
NHS Choices: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Online support from NHS Choices to share with patients
