What is female genital mutilation (FGM)?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the females' genitals (private parts) are injured or changed when there is no medical reason. The practice can cause severe pain and harm. It can affect victims in many ways, and for the rest of their life.
It can cause long-term health problems, including mental health problems and sometimes dangerous complications during childbirth that put both mother and baby at risk. In some cases, FGM can cause death.
FGM can happen at different ages. It may be carried out as an infant, during childhood or teenage years, just before marriage, or during a woman’s first pregnancy. This means that both children and adults can be victims.
FGM is sometimes called by different names. These names vary depending on culture, language or religion.
The World Health Organisation lists four main types of FGM:
- Type 1: Removing part or all of the clitoris (a small sensitive part of the body) and sometimes the skin around it.
- Type 2: Removing part or all of the clitoris and the inner and sometimes outer lips of the vagina.
- Type 3: Making the opening to the vagina smaller by cutting and stitching the lips together.
- Type 4: Any other harmful acts to female genitals without medical reason. This includes pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning.
All types of FGM are dangerous. They have no health benefits. They are all illegal in the UK.
Coming forward about FGM can be extremely difficult. In many cases, the person responsible is a family member or someone from the victim’s community. Victims may fear rejection or isolation if they give evidence and can feel intense pressure not to report what happened or to avoid supporting a prosecution.
Given that FGM is often carried out by a family member who believe it is beneficial, and in a girl or woman's best interests, the victim may require support both during the prosecution but also after the case has concluded.