Female genital mutilation

125 million women and girls worldwide have had female genital mutilation (FGM). There is no robust UK data although it is estimated that over a 137 000 adult women and a further 70 000 girls under the age of 15 years have either had or are at risk of FGM. FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and in 2013 it became illegal to take a child abroad for FGM. Mandatory reporting for regulated health and social care professionals and teachers came into effect in England and Wales this year. Hodes and colleagues report their experience of children referred with suspected FGM to a UK safeguarding clinic (47 children, 2006–14). 27 had confirmed FGM—type 1 in 2 (most severe), type 2 in 8, type 4 (pricking and nicking) in 11. The circumstances of the FGM were known in 17, 12 being performed by a health professional or in a medical setting. Eight out of 27 had one or more medical symptoms including pain, bleeding, tenderness, dysuria, nocturnal enuresis, adhesions. 17 had had the FGM performed outside the country either before they moved here (14) or being taken out before 2003 when it became illegal. In 10 cases this was less clear and although police and social services were involved there …