Download the FACTSHEET for more detailed information.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), is sometimes referred to as 'female genital cutting.' FGMis defined as the range of procedures which involve 'the partial or complete removal' of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reason. There are four types of FGM depending on the severity of the procedure.
FGM is Illegal - FGM is prohibited by law in the UK. It is also against the law to take girls abroad to have the procedure. However more than 20 000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM. Girls may be at particular risk of FGM during school summer holidays as families may take their children abroad for the procedure.
Physical Impact - The severity of the physical problem may vary depending on the type of FGM undergone and can include severe bleeding and death. Other long term problems include; severe pain, difficulty passing urine, urinary infections, problems menstruating, vaginal infections, pain during sex and complications during child birth. Another impact, which is not often addressed is domestic abuse. For example, some women who refuse sexual intercourse because they find it painful due to the impacts of FGM, are subjected to domestic violence.
Mental Health Problems - As FGM is generally performed on pre-pubescent and adolescent girls, usually without anaesthetics and with instruments such as razor blades, the emotional and psychological shock is huge and can result in life long trauma and counselling should be sought.
If you or someone you know is at risk of FGM - talk to someone you trust, maybe a teacher or a school nurse. You could also contact the police. They will all be able to help protect you. If you are concerned that a citizen in Britain may be taken overseas for the purpose of FGM, call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 0207 008 1500 or email fgm@fco.gov.uk
If you have had FGM - You can seek medical advice and help from specialist health services. There are 15 specialist clinics around the UK and in some of these you can have a reversal procedure. Contact details of hospitals and clinics in the UK offering Specialist FGM health services can be found in the booklet that can be downloaded from this page.
Contact an organisation about this issue
MWN Helpline is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided and listing any organisation does not imply its endorsement.
Looks at the wider issues that affect minority and other vulnerable communities including tackling health, social and economic inequalities at a local level in Bedford and surrounding areas. Is committed to eliminating of all harmful traditional and discriminatory practices such as female genital mutilation forced marriage.
Address: Acton Health Centre,
35 - 61 Church Road,
London,
W3 8QE.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Mon, Tue, Thurs: 8:30am - 6:30pm Wed: 8:30am - 4:00pm Fri: 8:30am - 8:00pm
African Well Woman Clinic
Phone: 079560 01065 or 0208 383 8761 or 07730 970738
Email:
Website:
Address: Queen Charlottes & Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS
Specialist FGM health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Mon to Fri (9am - 4pm)
African Well Women's Clinic
Phone: 0207 288 3482 ext. 5954 / 0795 625 7992
Email: joy.clarke@whittington.nhs.uk
Website:
Address: Whittington Hospital,
Level 5,
Highgate Hill
London, N19 5NF.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Last Wed of every month (9am - 5pm)
African Well Women's Clinic
Phone: 020 8453 2108- Central Middlesex Hospital Royal 020 8869 2880- Northwick Park Hospital Harrow
Email:
Website:
Address: Northwick Park Hospital & Central Middlesex Hospital, Antenatal Clinic, Watford Road. Harrow, HA1 3UJ
Specialist FGM health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure.
African Women's Clinic
Phone: 0845 155 5000
Email: maligaye.bikoo@uclh.nhs.uk
Website:
Address: University College Hospital,
Clinic 3 - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing,
Euston Road,
London, NW1 2BU.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Mondays (2pm - 5pm)
Africans Unite against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) was established in May 2001 as a platform for advocating for the rights and welfare of African children in the UK. Has a presence in two UK cities (London and Manchester) and projects working with children, young people and families across London and in Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford.
Africans Unite against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) was established in May 2001 as a platform for advocating for the rights and welfare of African children in the UK. Has a presence in two UK cities (London and Manchester) and projects working with children, young people and families across London and in Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford.
Provide generic and specialist services including the provision of temporary accommodation in Wales for those suffering from domestic abuse and all forms of violence; including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Honor Based Violence and Human Trafficking.
Black Women's Health & Family Support
Phone: 0208 980 3503
Email:
Website:
Address: 1st Floor, 82 Russia Lane, London, E2 9LU.
Charity based in Tower Hamlets working with Somali and other African women on a range of issues including FGM.
Self-help voluntary organisation that has been set up to tackle and reduce the problems facing the Sudanese, Somali, Oromo and Eritrean communities (amongst others) and with new and emerging communities in Bolton.
Bristol Community Rose Clinic
Phone: 07813 016 911
Email:
Website:
Address: Lawrence Hill Health Centre,
Hassell Drive,
Lawrence Hill,
Bristol
BS2 0AN
Specialist FGM health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure.
A woman led Refugee Community Organisation set up by and for members of the Somali Community in Camden, some of the poorest and most disadvantaged residents of the borough. It seeks to make a significant improvement in their lives by addressing the educational and recreational needs of Somali children and young people and the health and training needs Somali women and the Somali elderly.
Dahlia Project (Partnership between Maya Centre and Manor Gardens, Islington)
Phone: 0207 281 7694
Email: leyla@manorgardenscentre.org
Website:
Address:
Support group and counselling for women who have undergone FGM.
Works to advance and protect the physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health rights of young people from female genital mutilation practising communities.
Exist to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights as central to the wellbeing of African women and girls. We work with individuals, communities and organisations to transform harmful practices and improve the quality of life of vulnerable girls and women.
Working on a number of activities and services for Somali women and children including a project to reduce the risk to girls and young women in the UK of undergoing genital mutilation in all its form. The project targets young women, families, parents, professionals, local schools, religious leaders, and community leaders, in order to change and challenge notions of FGM.
Gynecology & Midwifery Department
Phone: 0207 886 6691 or 0207 886 1443 or contact the helpline on 0203 312 6135
Email: foong.han@imperial.nhs.uk
Website:
Address: St. Mary's Hospital,
Praed Street,
London, W1 1NY.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: 9am to 5pm
A charity formed to help with the integration of young people and children who have arrived from other countries and cultures. Much of the work involves supporting those in the community who are bravely trying to eradicate the harmful practice of FGM through various educational and creative projects.
Labour Ward
Phone: 0115 969 1169 ext 55124 / 55127
Email: Carol.mccormick@nuh.nhs.uk
Website:
Address: City Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals,
Hucknall Road,
Nottingham, NG5 1PB.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Mon (1pm - 5pm) Tues (9pm - 12pm)
Liverpool Womens Hospital
Phone: 0151 702 4180 or 0151 702 4178
Email:
Website:
Address: Link Clinic,
Crown Street,
Liverpool
L8 7SS
Specialist FGM health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure.
Address: 6-9 Manor Gardens,
Islington
London
N7 6LA
Run a number of project including a health advocacy services that cover FGM to reduce the risk of girls undergoing FGM through community workshops and safeguarding training (part of the FGM Special Initiative) and helping FGM survivors to talk freely about and come to terms with what has happened to them through group and individual therapy (part of the The Dahlia Project pilot).
Provides long term counselling and psychological support to some of the most vulnerable women in our community. Also run the Dahlia Project, which is is a support grocp for women who have undergone female genital mutilation/ female Circumcision (FGM). The project aims to provide a safe space for women to unpack the effects of FGM.
Minority Ethnic Women's & Girl's Clinic
Phone: 0117 902 7111 / 0117 902 7100
Email:
Website:
Address: Charlotte Keel Health Centre,
Seymour Road,
Easton,
Bristol, BS5 OUA.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Drop-In Last Wed of every month (9:30am - 12pm)
Multi-Cultural Antenatal Clinic
Phone:
Email: barbara.valjelo@lwh.nhs.uk
Website:
Address: Liverpool Women's Hospital,
Crown Street,
Liverpool, L8 7SS.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Mon to Fri (8.30am - 4.30pm)
Supports and promotes the positive mental health and well-being of black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls (12+) in the Edinburgh area.
Provides training, seminars and conferences for professionals who need to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of people from the Somali community.
Address: Southall Town Hall,
1 High Street,
Southall,
Middx,
UB1 3HA.
Umbrella organisation in London Borough of Ealing, with over 120 affiliated groups including. Work with Indian, Somali, Iranian, Afghan and Russian communities. They work to meet local needs which includes tackling FGM.
Special health service providing medical advice and help and may be able to provide a reversal procedure. Opening Times: Mon to Thurs (12pm-8pm) Fri (9:30am - 5:30 pm)
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