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Professional resources

Professional resources related to female genital mutilation

Guidance and resources to support nurses, midwives, nursing associates and related health care professionals.

The RCN has published guidance and pathways to support different aspects around FGM.

FGM legislation

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, FGM is illegal under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 and in Scotland it is illegal under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005. The legislation in England and Wales was strengthened by the to better support those at risk. See also:  An RCN resource for nursing and midwifery practice
Female Genital Mutilation.

Through the as well as the to the police in England and Wales, there are other important additions to strengthen the protection of those at risk of FGM, including , , and .

Scotland

The Scottish Government has the following information on FGM:

  •  

The Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill is also in progress (2020), see: .

Guidance

  • . NHS England's refreshed webpage detailing NHS work on FGM
  • . Guidance from NHS England with recommendations for commissioners to make sure services meet the needs of women and girls with Female Genital Mutilation and to safeguard those at risk
  • . Practical help to support NHS organisations developing new safeguarding policies and procedures for female genital mutilation.
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Further resources

  • Ali et al. (2020) , BMC Public Health (2020) 20:1132 
  • Beyond FGM.  is a UK registered charity working a community based organisation in Pokot, Kenya to eradicate FGM
  • . An e-network for health professionals working on FGM & health related issues
  • Health and Social Care Information Centre:
  • Health Education England:
  • Home Office. . A free online safeguarding training course developed for the Home Office by Virtual College.
  • London Assembly.  (PDF).
  • McEwan, J & Bedford, H (2021) , Journal of Health Visiting, 2 April 2021, 9(4)
  • National FGM Centre.  (PDF).
  • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. . This resource supports discussion on female genital mutilation. It is also available as an
  • RCNi. Primary Health Care journal. 
  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow’s Faculty of Travel Medicine. . This is a free e-learning module, which aims to examine the potential barriers there may be to raising the topic in a travel medicine consultation. 
  • Virtual College. . A free online safeguarding training course.
  • World Health Organization factsheet. .
  • World Health Organization. .

FGM Call to action

(PDF)

FGM films

NHS England has released six scenario-based animations which help explore how and when questions would and would not be asked about FGM in community health care settings, as a girl grows up. .

Watch four films developed by the Royal College of Midwives in collaboration with a range of Royal Colleges and survivors:

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See more FGM related videos: 

An animation for health professionals working with survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (NHS).

NHS London Safeguarding Team and the Royal College of GPs worked in collaboration with Building Bridges and Mojatu Foundation to co-produce an FGM easy read. The aim of the easy read is to provide professionals working with someone with a learning disability with a tool to explain FGM. 

FGM Campaign groups

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Page last updated - 17/10/2024

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