Female Genital Mutilation

Information about female genital mutilation (FGM) and what to do if you are concerned about FGM in the City is detailed in the City and Hackney FGM Protocol.

It states that FGM refers to procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

There are no health benefits to FGM. Although FGM is practised by secular communities, it is most often claimed to be carried out in accordance with religious beliefs. However, FGM predates Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Bible, Koran, Torah and other religious texts do not advocate or justify FGM.

FGM is illegal if perpetrated against any woman or girl of any age in England and Wales under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.

If it is suspected that FGM has happened in the UK or is imminently going to happen, the police should be contacted on either 101 or 999 depending on the level of urgency. If there is an immediate risk of FGM happening, then call Police on 999.

Under the 2003 it is an offence to fail to protect a girl from the risk of FGM (this applies to each person who is responsible for the girl at the time the FGM occurred, e.g. a parent or carer). It is also an offence to:

  • aid, abet, counsel or procure a person to commit an FGM offence

  • encourage or assist a person to commit an FGM offence

  • attempt to commit an FGM offence

  • conspire to commit an FGM offence

Any person found guilty of an offence under section 3A of the 2003 Act is liable to a maximum penalty of 7 years’ imprisonment or a fine (or both).

    • Many girls visiting one room in the hotel throughout the course of the day and leaving the room looking distressed or sedated

    • Blood or surgical material found in the same room

    • Don't touch or move anything

    • Take notes of who, when and what you have seen

    • Call 101 and tell the police what you have seen