Partnership Team

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Partnership Team

• Detective Constable Jason Morgan

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• Project Azure
• Female Genital Mutilation

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• What is FGM?

All procedures which involve the partial or total
removal of the external genitalia or injury to
the female genital organs whether for cultural or
any other non-therapeutic reasons The World
Health Organisation
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Types of FGM

• I - removal of the clitoral hood with or without
  the removal of the clitoris
• II - removal of the clitoris and partial or total
  removal of the vaginal lips
• III - removal of the clitoris, vaginal lips and
  the stitching of the vagina, leaving a 1-2cm
  opening
• IV - piercing the clitoris, cauterisation,
  cutting the vagina, inserting corrosive
  substances, stretching of the vaginal lips.

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Indicators - FGM maybe about to happen

• Family from a practicing community
• Extended holiday, particularly to a practicing
  country
• Child is going to become a woman or have a
  special celebration
• Child may begin to display a behavioural change

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Indicators - FGM has already taken place

• Girl may spend long periods of time away from the
  classroom associated with bladder or menstrual
  problems
• The child requiring to be excused from physical
  exercise
• Prolonged absences from School plus a noticeable
  behaviour change..

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THE LAW

• Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985
• Penalty 5 years imprisonment
• Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
• Penalty 14 years imprisonment

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FGM Act 2003

• Offence to commit FGM S1
• Offence to assist a girl to commit FGM on herself
  S2
• Offence for someone in the UK to arrange or
  assist FGM outside of UK even if carried out by a
  person who isnt a UK national or resident S3
• Any act done outside UK by UK National or
  resident S4

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The Law the technical bits!

• NO AGE LIMIT - Girl woman
• Defence If it is a surgical operation necessary
  for physical / mental health
• Mental health does not include belief that FGM is
  required as a matter of custom or ritual
• Designer Vagina

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• There have been NO prosecutions under FGM
  legislation in the UK

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Some Barriers to Reporting

• Children are unlikely to tell on their parents
• Many from loving / caring families
• Once in a lifetime event
• Honour Based
• Community Acceptance / Marriage
• Victims maybe too young to remember
• Language / Immigration status
• Unaware of the law
• Lack of understanding of health implications

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• Summer is for Fun
• Not for Pain!

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London Safeguarding Childrens BoardFGM Resource
Pack

• National Information Resources
• Signposting for additional support
• Specialised information for Health
• Available On-line / Hard Copies
• Complement the GEO FGM Factsheet
• Suitable for practicing communities

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Project Azure

• Prevention campaigns
• Awareness Training
• Advice Guidance
• Intelligence opportunities
• Partnership working
• Stop FGM Now! (DVD)

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Thank you for listening

• Any questions?
• jason.morgan_at_met.police.uk
• 020 7161 2888