{"id":5559,"date":"2023-01-26T12:04:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T12:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/supportforschools\/?post_type=dcc_docs_document&#038;p=5559"},"modified":"2024-11-20T19:00:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T19:00:01","slug":"safeguarding-no-13-fgm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/safeguarding-no-13-fgm\/","title":{"rendered":"No.13 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#overview\">Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-should-staff-be-vigilant-for\">What should staff be vigilant for?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-report\">How to report<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#further-information\">Further information<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-673e31aeb6cfa\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2023-01-26T12:04:20+00:00\">26\/01\/2023 12:04pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2024-11-20T19:00:01+00:00\">20\/11\/2024 7:00pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-673e31aeb6d72\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EXghbJu4CVpIiVFmFfMckuwBqa3LDfh_zDvOHtCVYjLVqA?e=HrGVfJ\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No.13 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) (Document)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-size\">139KB<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overview\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It\u2019s also known as female circumcision or cutting. Religious, social or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM. \u00a0FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15 and can happen both in the UK and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, <strong>FGM is child abuse.<\/strong> It\u2019s dangerous and a criminal offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are four main types of FGM:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Type 1 (clitoridectomy) \u2013 removing part or all of the clitoris<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Type 2 (excision) \u2013 removing part or all of the clitoris and the inner labia, with or without the removal of the labia majora<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Type 3 (infibulation) \u2013 narrowing the vaginal opening by creating a seal, formed by cutting and repositioning the labia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Type 4- other harmful procedures to the female genitals, including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn\u2019t enhance fertility and it doesn\u2019t make childbirth safer. It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health such as<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Severe and\/or constant pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain or difficulty having sex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infertility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bleeding, cysts and abscesses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infections such as tetanus, HIV, hepatitis B and C<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulties urinating or incontinence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Problems during pregnancy and childbirth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organ damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental health problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is <strong>illegal in England and Wales<\/strong> under the FGM Act (2003).&nbsp; It is a form of child abuse and violence against women.&nbsp; A mandatory reporting duty requires teachers to report \u2018known\u2019 cases of FGM in under 18s, which are identified in the course of their professional work, to the police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-should-staff-be-vigilant-for\">What should staff be vigilant for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is essential that all staff and volunteers are aware of possible signs and symptoms of FGM that may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A long holiday abroad or going \u2018home\u2019 to visit family<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relative or cutter visiting from abroad<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A special occasion or ceremony to \u2018become a woman\u2019 or get ready for marriage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Female relative being cut \u2013 a sister, cousin, or an older female relative such as a mother or aunt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Running away from, or planning to run away from home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Behaviour changes on return from a holiday abroad<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bladder or menstrual problems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A reluctance to go to the doctors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finding it difficult to sit still and looking uncomfortable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complaining about pain between the legs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mentioning something secretive somebody did to them<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty walking and standing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secretive behaviour, including isolating themselves from the group<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reluctance to take part in physical activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Repeated urinal tract infection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spending longer in the toilet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disclosure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-report\">How to report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As with Forced Marriage there is the \u2018One Chance\u2019 rule. It is essential that settings \/schools\/colleges take action without delay and make a referral to children\u2019s services through MASH, or the Police should their concern be such that the child is at immediate risk of harm or has already been subject to this procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any concerns should be shared with the designated safeguarding lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a teacher is informed by a girl under 18 that an act of FGM has been carried out on her or a teacher observes physical signs which appear to show that an act of FGM has been carried out on a girl under 18 and they have no reason to believe the act was necessary for the girl\u2019s physical or mental health or for purposes connected with labour or birth, the teacher should personally make a report to the police force in which the girl resides by calling 101.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents or carers should not be informed of any such enquiry if FGM is the cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no circumstances in which a teacher or other member of staff should examine a girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"further-information\">Further information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/what-is-child-abuse\/types-of-abuse\/female-genital-mutilation-fgm\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NSPCC<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/nationalfgmcentre.org.uk\/fgm\/\" rel=\"noopener\">National FGM Centre<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/female-genital-mutilation-fgm\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/783684\/FGM_The_Facts_A6_v4_web.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Home Office FGM: The Facts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virtual-college.co.uk\/resources\/free-courses\/recognising-and-preventing-fgm\" rel=\"noopener\">Resources preventing FGM free online training<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2\" rel=\"noopener\">Keeping Children Safe in Education<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It\u2019s also known as female circumcision or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2436,"featured_media":0,"parent":5639,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5559","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No.13 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EXghbJu4CVpIiVFmFfMckuwBqa3LDfh_zDvOHtCVYjLVqA?e=HrGVfJ","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-04 18:39:55","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5559"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27984,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5559\/revisions\/27984"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}