A crime against femininity.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) was declared illegal as long ago as 1985, and yet this year there are still 24,000 girls and young women at risk of FGM, with over 66,000 UK victims living with the consequences.
FGM is physical, emotional and sexual abuse, so it is important that everyone who has contact with children and young people is aware of it and reports their concerns or a disclosure to their designated safeguarding person immediately.
FGM involves procedures that include the partial or total removal of the external genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. As the government says in their guidance ‘the practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious health consequences, both when the mutilation is carried out and in later life’.
The age at which girls undergo FGM differs according to the community. It may be carried out when a girl is a baby, during childhood or adolescence, just before marriage or during the first pregnancy. However, it is thought that the majority of cases of FGM are carried out between the ages of five and eight and so girls within that age bracket are at a higher risk.
FGM is prevalent in 28 African countries as well as in parts of the Middle East and Asia. In their June 2013 report, the International Development Committee said the countries where FGM is most common are:
- Egypt – 81% of those aged 15-19 (and 96% of women aged 35-39) are victims
- Guinea – 89% of girls aged 15-19 (and 99% of women aged 35-39)
- Sierra Leone – 75% of girls aged 15-19 (96% of women aged 35-39)
- Somalia – more than 97% of women aged 15-39 are victims
Of course, as FGM is illegal in the UK, girls are often taken out of the country to have the procedure undertaken abroad.
Girls who are threatened with or have undergone FGM may not turn up for health appointments and withdraw from education, sporting and social interaction, restricting their health and educational opportunities and personal development. They may feel unable to disobey their parents and, as a result, may suffer emotionally.
Behavioural signs to be aware of include:
- general anxiety, depression, emotional withdrawal
- anxiety leading up to holidays (especially summer holidays as this is a time when families may take their child abroad for the procedure)
- talk of a ‘special ceremony’ that is going to take place (although the girl may be unaware of what it is about)
- sudden decline in performance, aspiration or motivation
- extended absence or the child goes to school, but absents themselves from lessons, possibly spending prolonged periods in the toilets.
Whatever your role with children and young people, we all have a responsibility to stay aware and do everything we can to keep them safe.
Learn more about a range of duty of care and safeguarding topics by having a look at EduCare’s training catalogue.
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