Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Amendment
Section 3, FGM and the Law was updated in March 2023 to include information about the duties and measures of the Serious Crime Act 2015.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed without a medical reason for doing so.
FGM is recognised legally as a form of domestic abuse.
For further information about domestic abuse see Domestic Abuse (including MARAC).
There are 4 main types of FGM:
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Type 1-Clitoridectomy |
Removing part or all of the clitoris. |
|
Type 2-Excision |
Removing part or all of the clitoris and the inner labia (the lips that surround the vagina), with or without removal of the labia majora (the larger outer lips). |
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Type 3-Infibulation |
Narrowing the vaginal opening by creating a seal, formed by cutting and repositioning the labia. |
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Type 4 |
Other harmful procedures to the female genitals, including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning the area. |
FGM is also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others.
FGM normally takes place before puberty.
FGM can cause long term problems that last into adulthood.
These may include:
- Pain;
- Pain and difficulty having sex;
- Repeated infections;
- Bleeding, cysts and abscesses;
- Incontinence;
- Mental health issues (depression, flashbacks and self-harm);
- Problems during labour and childbirth.
Under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, it is illegal for anyone to:
- Perform FGM (including taking a child abroad for FGM);
- Help a girl perform FGM on herself in or outside the UK;
- Help anyone perform FGM in the UK;
- Help anyone perform FGM outside the UK on a UK national or resident;
- Fail to protect a girl for whom you're responsible from FGM.
Anyone found guilty of these offences could be sentenced for between 7 and 14 years in prison.
Offences
The Serious Crime Act 2015 amended The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 so that the offences (as set out above) apply to habitual as well as permanent UK residents.
The Act also introduced a new offence of failing to protect a girl from the risk of FGM, meaning that family members and others failing to take protective action can now be prosecuted.
Other measures
As well as the impact on offences, the Serious Crime Act 2015 also:
- Grants lifelong anonymity to victims;
- Introduced FGM Protection Orders; and
- Places a duty on health, education and social care professionals to notify the police when they know that FGM has been carried out on a girl under the age of 18.
If an adult makes a historical disclosure of FGM, this must be referred to the police for investigation and redress.
The adult should be provided with the medial and emotional support they need to support their recovery.
Any concerns should be raised to the police and local authority child protection services.
Last Updated: March 6, 2023
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