FGM

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is when a female's genitals are deliberately altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It's also known as 'female circumcision' or 'cutting', but has many other names.

FGM happens to girls from when they are born up to adolescence or just before they get married. An estimated 200 million women and girls have been affected worldwide.

Some people think they have to do FGM because of religion but it’s a practice that exists in cultures all over the world, regardless of religious belief. It has been passed down from one generation to another. Sometimes it is done to show that a girl is becoming a woman. Some girls are pressured to have it done so as not to bring dishonour to the family’s name.

It is illegal for people in the UK to perform FGM. It is also illegal to take a girl overseas to have FGM performed on her and to assist the procedure taking place.

It may be difficult to talk to someone but we would encourage you talk to a member of staff at School as soon as possible.

Other places for support: 

Bedfordshire Police
999 any day, any time

NSPCC
Specific FGM support is offered by the NSPCC.
Available: Monday – Friday – 8am – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday - 9am – 6pm.
Phone: 0800 028 3550
Website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/

Quick site exit is available.

Petals – Phone app
This is a phone app which can be found on your phone’s app store. The app is available for young people, both girls and boys, living in the UK who want to find out more about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Website: http://petals.coventry.ac.uk/