Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is any procedure designed to alter or injure a girl's (or woman’s) genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’. It is mostly carried out on young girls.
FGM procedures can cause
- Severe bleeding
- Infections
- Problems with giving birth later in life - including the death of the baby
FGM is illegal in the United Kingdom – it is also illegal to take a British National or permanent resident abroad for FGM or to help someone trying to do this. The maximum sentence for carrying out FGM or helping it to take place is 14 years in prison.
Call the FGM helpline if you're worried a child is at risk of, or has had, FGM.
FGM Helpline
Telephone: 0800 028 3550
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Email: fgmhelp@NSPCC.org.uk
If you or anyone is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
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