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Female Genital Mutilation(FGM)

• - a Child Protection issue

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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-medical reasons
• The World Health Organisation
• These procedures are illegal in Scotland

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Why does FGM occur?

• Justifications for FGM may include
• custom and tradition
• social acceptance, especially for marriage
• family honor
• a sense of belonging to the group and conversely
  the fear of social exclusion
• cultural identity a tribal initiation into
  adulthood
• religion, in the mistaken belief that it is a
  religious requirement
• preserving virginity / chastity
• hygiene and cleanliness
• enhancing fertility

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Who is at risk?

• it is estimated 2 million girls around the world
  every year are affected
• mainly girls from Africa and the Middle East, but
  also some girls in the immigrant population of
  Europe, America and Australia
• girls aged between 4 and 14 are most at risk but
  older or younger girls could also be at risk

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Prevalence of FGM in Africasource UNICEF (2013)
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• In Scotland, the figures are far less clear.
  Currently, there is no reliable estimate of
  prevalence of FGM in Scotland.
• Source Scottish Refugee Council, Parliamentary
  Briefing, February 2014

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Possible indications that FGM may be about to
take place

• A child from a community that is known to perform
  FGM may
• talk about going on a special holiday to a
  country where the procedure is prevalent
• confide that she is to have a special procedure
  or celebration

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Possible indications that FGM may have already
taken place

• A child from a community known to perform FGM may
  
• spend long periods of time away from the
  classroom during the day with bladder or
  menstrual problems
• have prolonged absences from school plus a
  noticeable behaviour change
• seek to be excused from physical exercise without
  the support of their GP

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What do I do?

• FGM is a Child Protection issue
• Follow your Child Protection procedures

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Find out more

• Tackling Violence Against Women
• www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/vawtraining/content
  /femalegenitalmutilation/277,234
• National child protection guidelines
• http//www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/05/30
  52/0

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