What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting, is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”.
The procedure is traditionally carried out by an older woman with no medical training. Anaesthetics and antiseptic treatment are not generally used and the practice is usually carried out using basic tools such as knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass and razor blades. Often iodine or a mixture of herbs is placed on the wound to tighten the vagina and stop the bleeding.
Worried about FGM?
Call the NSPCC FGM helpline if you’re worried a child is at risk of, or has had, FGM. It’s free, anonymous and open 24 hours a day 0800 028 3550.
Want to talk?
Our two helplines have been combined. Anyone can call either line at anytime.
Call
0808 801 0456
0808 801 0464
Mon and Fri: 11am – 2pm,
Tue, Wed and Thu: 6pm – 8pm
Live Chat
Tue and Thu: 12noon – 2pm
support@sarsas.org.uk
These lines are open to all. Girls, boys, women and men can call either of our two helplines. Trans and non-binary callers are welcome.
Want to talk?
From Monday 23 March our two helplines will be combined. Anyone can call either line at anytime.
Call
0808 801 0456
0808 801 0464
Mon and Fri: 11am – 2pm,
Tue, Wed and Thu: 6pm – 8pm
Live Chat
Tue and Thu: 12noon – 2pm
support@sarsas.org.uk
These lines are open to all. Girls, boys, women and men can call either of our two helplines. Trans and non-binary callers are welcome.