Guidance | Understanding FGM: Legal Duties, Professional Practice, and Support Pathways
What is FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) refers to any procedure that
injures, removes or alters the female genital organs for non‑medical reasons.
It is widely recognised as a severe violation of human rights and a form of
violence against women and girls. In the UK context, FGM is considered both a
criminal act and a form of child abuse when carried out on a girl under 18. The
procedure may occur at various ages, ranging from infancy to adolescence,
before marriage, or even during pregnancy, and it frequently results in
significant immediate pain as well as long-term physical, psychological, and
reproductive health consequences.
Although the World Health Organisation identifies four major
types of FGM - clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, and other harmful non‑medical
procedures - these classifications are not formally embedded within UK
legislation. However, they remain helpful for understanding the breadth of
procedures professionals may encounter and are commonly referenced in clinical
and safeguarding resources.
Legal Framework in the UK
FGM is illegal across the United Kingdom. In England and
Wales, the central legislation is the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, which
makes it an offence to perform FGM, assist someone in performing it, or take a
girl abroad for the purpose of FGM. These provisions were strengthened by the Serious
Crime Act 2015, introducing new offences such as failing to protect a girl from
the risk of FGM, granting lifetime anonymity for survivors, and establishing
FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs). Importantly, these amendments also created a
mandatory reporting duty for specific professionals.
In Scotland, FGM is prohibited under the Prohibition of
Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005, which restated and expanded
existing protections, including the introduction of extraterritorial powers to
prevent people from being taken abroad for FGM. Safeguarding measures were
further strengthened through the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and
Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, which provides statutory guidance and additional
protective mechanisms for those at risk.
FGM is firmly positioned within broader UK efforts to
address violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Government’s cross‑departmental
VAWG strategy identifies FGM as a key form of gender-based violence requiring
robust multi‑agency action. It is categorically recognised as child abuse with
the potential for lifelong harm, placing it at the centre of safeguarding
duties for professionals working with children and vulnerable adults.
Statutory Guidance for Professionals
The Multi‑Agency Statutory Guidance on FGM provides the
primary framework for professionals who have statutory duties to safeguard
children and vulnerable adults. This guidance applies to all persons and bodies
in England and Wales involved in safeguarding and must be followed as part of
their legal responsibilities. It should also be read in conjunction with other
core safeguarding frameworks, including Working Together to Safeguard Children
in England and the Welsh safeguarding guidance under the Children Act 2004.
The procedural information published by the Home Office in
2016, the Mandatory reporting of FGM guidance, further clarifies the
expectations on professionals regarding the mandatory duty to report. This
guidance explains how to recognise known cases, how to report them to the
police, and how these reporting duties fit within the wider safeguarding
context.
Mandatory Reporting Duty
In England and Wales, certain professionals are legally
required to report cases of FGM when it is known to have occurred in a girl
under 18. This duty applies to teachers, social workers, regulated health and
social care professionals, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. The
requirement is triggered when a professional either visually identifies
physical signs of FGM that are not medically justified or when a girl directly
discloses that she has undergone FGM.
Reports must be made directly to the police, usually via the
101 non‑emergency number or through online reporting methods. The law makes
clear that responsibility for reporting cannot be transferred to another
professional. Although the mandatory reporting duty covers only known cases,
professionals must also remember that broader safeguarding duties apply to
suspected or at‑risk cases and may require referrals to Children’s Social Care
or other safeguarding partners.
Recognising Indicators of FGM or Risk
Professionals should remain vigilant for signs that FGM has
already occurred. These may include difficulty walking, sitting or standing,
prolonged absences from school or settings, urinary or menstrual problems, or
sudden behavioural changes such as withdrawal or distress. Some children may
refer indirectly to FGM by talking about “being cut,” ceremonies, or special
procedures. Such indicators warrant immediate consideration of safeguarding
procedures.
There are also important risk factors that may suggest that
a girl is vulnerable to FGM. The presence of FGM within the family, such as a
mother or older siblings having undergone the procedure, is a significant risk
and is specifically referenced in NHS risk‑assessment tools. Additional
vulnerability may arise where families plan extended travel to countries where
FGM is practised, or where cultural, community, or familial beliefs continue to
support the practice. Risk factors may also include broader community or
cultural norms supporting FGM, migration context, and pressure from extended
family members.
Professionals should also be alert to behaviours suggesting
possible impending travel for FGM. These may include references to a “special
holiday,” a “big celebration,” or reluctance to discuss the purpose of planned
travel, particularly where travel is sudden or unexplained.
Indicators relevant to adults - who may present in a range
of healthcare or maternity settings - include recurrent gynaecological issues,
obstetric complications, or disclosures made during maternity or other
healthcare appointments. These may highlight previously unknown FGM or ongoing
risks to children within the family.
Professional Responsibilities in Practice
Safeguarding professionals: teachers, police officers,
social workers, healthcare workers and others - must ensure they have
appropriate knowledge, confidence, and training to identify victims and those
at risk of FGM. Government guidance and parliamentary findings emphasise the
importance of professionals being able to ask sensitive questions and understand
that FGM occurs across diverse communities, not only those typically associated
with the practice. Multi‑agency working is highlighted as essential to effective
prevention and intervention.
Professionals must follow local information‑sharing
procedures and national guidance when handling FGM concerns. In healthcare
contexts, practitioners may also need to contribute to NHS FGM datasets or
follow local clinical pathways. Effective safeguarding requires early
involvement of safeguarding leads, prompt referrals to children’s social care
where appropriate, and holistic risk assessments for other female family
members who may be at risk.
Supporting Children, Young People and Adults Affected by
FGM
When working with individuals affected by FGM, support
should be trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive, and tailored to a person’s
holistic needs. This means addressing both medical and psychological
consequences while ensuring the individual's dignity, privacy and cultural
context are respected. Immediate safety must always be prioritised,
particularly where disclosure suggests ongoing or imminent risk.
Once a case is identified or suspected, professionals should
involve safeguarding leads, consider appropriate referrals, and ensure
family-based risk assessments are completed to protect other girls who may be
affected. Specialist clinics and Women’s Health Hubs (highlighted in national
reports) play an important role in supporting survivors and offer opportunities
for signposting individuals toward medical, psychological, and broader social
services.
Further Advice and Guidance
Professionals can consult several key resources for more
detailed guidance. The Multi‑Agency Statutory Guidance on FGM on GOV.UK remains
the core document outlining legal duties and best practice. The Crown
Prosecution Service guidance provides detail on the legal framework and
considerations for criminal proceedings. NHS resources, including detailed
guidance and risk-assessment frameworks, offer practical clinical advice and
tools for frontline staff. The Government’s wider response to FGM also
emphasises the importance of specialist training for healthcare professionals,
midwives, practitioners, teachers, police officers, and others who may
encounter victims or those at risk.
Mandatory reporting of FGM - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8086f2ed915d74e33faefc/FGM_Mandatory_Reporting_-_procedural_information_nov16_FINAL.pdf
Multi-agency statutory guidance for FGM - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/613f26d5e90e07044435c949/6.7166_HO_FBIS_BN_O__Leaflet_A4_FINAL_080321_WEB.pdf
Female genital mutilation: help and advice - https://www.gov.uk/female-genital-mutilation-help-advice
Victim Support - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/you-co/types-crime/child-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
Womenkind Worldwide - https://www.womankind.org.uk/fgm-organisations-offering-advice-and-support/
National FGM Centre - https://nationalfgmcentre.org.uk
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