FEMALE CIRCUMCISION & CUTTING

There are an estimated 137,000 women and girls affected by FGM in England and Wales (Figures taken from NSPCC). Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a growing cause of concern in all schools, including primary school.

FGM is child abuse and a form of violence against women and girls, and therefore it is dealt with as part of existing child and adult safeguarding/protection structures, policies and procedures. It is illegal in the UK to subject a child to female genital mutilation (FGM) or to take a child abroad to undergo the procedure – Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Despite the harm it causes, FGM practising communities consider it normal to protect their cultural identity. The age at which girls are subject to FGM varies greatly from shortly after birth to any time up to adulthood.

Staff at Buswells Lodge Primary School have completed FGM training as part of our safeguarding procedures.

FORWARD also have a youth website - designed for young people aged 11yrs to 25yrs old. You can access this link by clicking on the icon below:

If you are woried that a child is at risk of, or has had FGM, you can call the FGM helpline. It is free, anonymous and they are available 24hours. Call them on 0800 028 3550, or email them at:

fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk