Female genital mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
- Criminal offence for anyone to perform, aid, abet, counsel or procure FGM on UK national/resident
- Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment +/- fine
Mandatory reporting (i.e. legal duty to report)
- Under Serious Crime Act 2015
- Applies if child discloses, or you find signs → report via 101 within 48h
- Does not apply if woman age >18 discloses
- Genital piercings = Type 4 FGM
- If child is at imminent risk → local safeguarding procedures
- Where possible, tell pt + family
- Identifiable information shared with Health and Social Care Information Centre (patients can object)
- Legislation: HSCA 2012, Serious Crime Act 2015
Information to patient
- Inform pt about potential harmful effects, illegal in UK
- Support + refer e.g. Whitt FGM clinic
Disclosure
- Ask about complications
- Gynae: painful periods, fistulae from obstructed labour
- Obstetrics: obstructed labour, risk PPH, risk perineal tears
- upsetting memories/nightmares
- any children? problems during birth?
Documentation
- what age (most common age 5-9y)
- where done
- what type (no o/e required)
- FHx - including children at risk of FGM
- Inform re potential harmful effects, that it is illegal in the UK
In pregnancy/labour
Should be offered deinfibulation i.e. reverse FGM
Protecting at-risk girls
- immediate risk of FGM? call police, child safeguarding lead
- prevent future FGM
- Education: legal, medical
- ‘passport’ for people travelling who might be pressured into undergoing FGM
- NSPCC FGM helpline 0800 028 3550