Showcase Magazine Autumn 2025 - Flipbook - Page 7
SAFEGUARDING
Designated Safeguarding Officer:
Ellen Roberts
07715 658036
REVISE
FGM
FEMALE GENITA
L
MUTILATION
WHAT IS IT
FGM stands for Female Genital
Mutilation. It is when part or all of a
girl9s external genitalia is cut or
removed for non-medical reasons.
It has no health benefits and
causes severe harm.
Find out more:
NSPCC
NHS
KEY FACTS
Usually done to girls between
infancy and 15 years old.
It is a violation of human rights
and is child abuse.
Over 200 million girls and
women worldwide have
experienced FGM (UNICEF).
Common in parts of Africa, the
Middle East, and Asia - but also
happens within some migrant
communities in the UK.
IMPACT
UK LAW
Physical: severe pain,
infections, problems urinating,
childbirth complications, even
death.
Psychological: trauma, anxiety,
depression, PTSD.
Social: stigma if a girl does not
undergo it in some
communities.
Some women with FGM may also
find it difficult to become pregnant.
FGM is illegal in the UK under the
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
and the Serious Crime Act 2015. It
is illegal to:
Perform FGM in the UK.
Take a girl abroad to have it
done.
Maximum penalty: 14 years in
prison.
Professionals (e.g. teachers,
doctors) must report known
cases in girls under 18.
WHY DOES IT
HAPPEN?
Carried out for a number of
cultural, religious and social
reasons.
Some believe it ensures purity,
marriageability, or honour.
It9s believed that it is beneficial
for preparing girls for marriage
or childbirth.
It is often wrongly linked to
religion, but no major religion
requires it.
SIGNS AND
INDICATORS
She talks about a special
8holiday9 to her family9s country
of origin.
She has trouble sitting down or
walking.
She avoids medical exams.
She talks about older female
relatives visiting for a
ceremony.
She has unexplained absence
from school.
｜
Showcase Training 7
