1. Partnership Team Detective Constable Jason Morgan

2. Project Azure Female Genital Mutilation

3. 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

4. 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…….

5. 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……

6. 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…..

7. THE LAW • Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 • Penalty – 5 years imprisonment • Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 • Penalty – 14 years imprisonment

8. 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 isn’t a UK national or resident [S3] • Any act done outside UK by UK National or resident [S4]

9. 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’

10. There have been NO prosecutions under FGM legislation in the UK…

11. 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 • Victim’s maybe too young to remember • Language / Immigration status • Unaware of the law • Lack of understanding of health implications

12. Summer is for Fun… …Not for Pain!

15. London Safeguarding Children’s 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

18. Project Azure • Prevention campaigns • Awareness & Training • Advice & Guidance • Intelligence opportunities • Partnership working • Stop FGM Now! (DVD)

19. Thank you for listening… Any questions? jason.morgan@met.police.uk 020 7161 2888