What are the effects of FGM?

The immediate effects of FGM include:

Severe pain

Shock

Bleeding

Infections including tetanus

HIV and hepatitis B and C

Inability to urinate

Damage to nearby organs including the bowel

FGM sometimes causes death

(NHS Choices, 2013)

Long-term consequences include:

Chronic vaginal and pelvic infections

Menstrual problems

Persistent urine infections

Kidney damage and possible failure

Cysts and abscesses

Pain during sex

Infertility

Complications during pregnancy and childbirth

(HM Government, 2011)

The process of undergoing FGM is psychologically traumatic and girls that have undergone the practice frequently suffer psychological damage.

Where is FGM practiced?

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• FGM is practised in approximately 42 African countries, as well as in parts of the Middle East and Asia (House of Commons International Development Committee, 2013).
• In the UK, FGM tends to occur in areas with large populations of FGM-practising communities. These areas include, but are not limited to:
• London
• Cardiff
• Manchester
• Sheffield
• Northampton
• Birmingham
• Oxford
• Crawley
• Reading
• Slough
• Milton Keynes
• (NHS Choices, 2013)
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• 
  
• 
  
• What are the reasons behind FGM?
• FGM is practised within communities due to numerous cultural, religious and social reasons such as:
• Preservation of a girl’s virginity or chastity
• Ensuring a girl is marriageable
• Family honour
• Social acceptance
• Custom and tradition
• The mistaken belief it increases hygiene and cleanliness
• The mistaken belief it enhances fertility and makes childbirth safer
• 
  
• (FORWARD, 2013, HM Government, 2011)
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• OVER
•  
• 65,000
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• GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF

•  

  13

   

  AT RISK OF FGM IN THE UK.

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• Is FGM illegal in the UK?
• In a nutshell, yes – FGM is illegal in the UK and has been for nearly 30 years!
• Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985
• Since 1985, in the UK, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence under the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. However under this legislation, taking girls who were settled in the UK abroad to undergo FGM was not considered a criminal offence.
• The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 was introduced to replace the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 and close this ‘loophole’.
• Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003*
• The Female Genital Mutilation Act was introduced in 2003 and came into effect on 03 March 2004. The Act only applies to offences committed on or after the date it came into effect. For offences committed before 3 March 2004 the Prohibition of Female Circumcision 1985, continues to apply.
• The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003:
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• Makes it illegal to practice FGM in the UK
• Makes it illegal to take girls who are British nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM whether or not it is lawful in that country
• Makes it illegal to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad
• Has a penalty of up to 14 years in prison and, or, a fine.
• *FGM is also illegal in Scotland based on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (Scotland) 2005
•