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Female Genital Mutilation

Summer Holidays are for Fun not Pain

Summer holidays are almost upon us. Some adults from communities that practise Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) take their young daughters and girls under their care for 'summer holidays' abroad with the intention of subjecting them FGM whilst they are there.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in conjunction with the London Safeguarding Children Board (London Board), the British Medical Association (BMA), Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD), Africans United against Child Abuse, (AFRUCA) and the Development Support Agency (DSA) are working to inform all parents/carers that the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it illegal to participate in any sort of arrangement for FGM to be performed on another, inside or outside of the UK. The Metropolitan Police will safeguard any girl believed to be at risk and prosecute offenders.

The penalty for aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring or carrying out FGM either inside or outside the UK is 14 years of imprisonment or fine or both.

FORWARD estimates, based on data from the International Centre for Reproductive Health (2004), that within the UK around 279,500 women have undergone FGM and each year approximately 22,000 girls under 16 years are at risk of becoming victims of FGM.

FGM has very severe health consequences including death. The procedure is extremely painful. There is a high risk of developing infections and spreading diseases including HIV/AIDS. There are many significant lifelong medical, psychological and emotional consequences for victims. In June 2006 the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated in the African context 10-20 babies die per 1000 deliveries as a result of this practice. FGM is a clear violation of the human rights of the girl and is prohibited by many international and regional human rights conventions.

FGM is a cultural practice, which has no basis in any religion.

The MPS, London Board, BMA,FORWARD, AFRUCA and DSA appeal to families from FGM practising communities to protect your female children from the suffering and devastating consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.

For further information of FGM and for a list of links relevant websites please download the download the PDF linked above.

Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT)
A national charity committed to reducing the number of children and young people who are killed, disabled or seriously injured as a result of accidents.

Carrying babies safely in cars
Guidance for practitioners who support expectant and new parents, this guide has been written to help practitioners who support expectant and new parents to learn more about carrying babies safely in cars. Midwives, health visitors and those who work with them are respected advisers in the eyes of parents and they are the main audiences for this guide. However, it will also be valuable to others in positions to give advice to expectant and new parents including people running ante-natal classes, child-minders and family support staff. Although written for a non-specialist audience, the guide may also act as a useful quick reference guide for local authority road safety officers in their work with practitioners who support expectant and new parents.

Domestic Violence

This link will take you to information on local domestic violence services.