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Female Genital Mutilation

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for procedures which include the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs, or injury to the female genital organs, for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. It’s also known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘cutting’, but has many other names.

Signs to look out for:

  • A relative or someone known as a ‘cutter’ visiting from abroad.
  • The family are making plans to go on holiday during the summer/have requested extended leave from school.
  • The child talks about a forthcoming special celebration.
  • The child/woman may have difficulty walking or sitting.
  • A female relative e.g., a mother or sister, has had FGM.

Learn more about signs FGM might happen, or it might have taken place, on the NSPCC website.

How to report FGM

If you’re worried a child is at risk of, or has already had FGM, call NSPCC’s dedicated FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgm.help@nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC

DORCAS

FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health, Research and Development)

Halo Project

  • 01642 683 045

Karma Nirvana

  • 0800 5999 247

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid

  • 0808 800 0028
  • Text Service: 18001 0808 800 0028 (for deaf people/people with a hearing impairment)

Muslim Women’s Network UK

  • Face to face counselling services available to Birmingham based clients only.
  • 0800 999 5786 or 0303 999 5786

Summerfield Health Centre, 134 Heath St, Birmingham B18 7AL

University Hospitals Birmingham Well Women’s Clinic, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, B9 5SS

  • 07817 534 274 or 0121 424 3909

FGM clinics for pregnant women

Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, B15 2TG

  • Referrals and enquiries to:  r.hanif1@nhs.net
  • Mob: 07831157651
  • Tel: 0121 335 8222 – Ext: 5756

Visit the NHS National FGM Support Clinics webpage.

‘Bring FGM out of the shadows’ campaign posters

Birmingham Against Female Genital Mutilation (BAFGM), a group of multi-agency professionals who seek to lead and co-ordinate multi-agency activity to prevent the practice of FGM across Birmingham, have created a set of campaign posters with information on FGM and how to report it. These posters are free to download and use.

Download the posters
BAFGM campaign poster

Zero Tolerance Day 2024 Campaign with Sarian Karim Kamara

Content warning: child abuse, female genital mutilation