We’re raising awareness of different forms of abuse over 16 days. Why? Because we can’t address what we don’t talk about and we want everyone to feel safe and supported to seek help if they need it.
We want to start meaningful conversations and highlight the help available to put a stop to abuse, of all kinds, both now and in the future.
Today we’re focusing on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Warning: you may find some of this content upsetting
What is FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure which involves the partial or total removal of a woman’s genitalia for non-medical reasons. More than 200 million girls and women have been affected by this, so while it’s not widely spoken about it is an essential issue that needs more awareness.
Why are we highlighting it today?
There are a lot of preconceptions around FGM, and it’s often thought that it only happens in certain parts of the world. However, it can happen anywhere and cases in Hampshire have increased which is a concern.
FGM has serious health consequences and long-term impacts on mental and physical health and by talking more openly about this, and gaining better knowledge and insight into it, we can better spot possible warning signs, such as changes in behaviour and prolonged absences.
We understand that FGM is a really sensitive subject and there’s a lot of stigma attached to it. But we want to let people know that they can talk about it, and we’re here to listen and share information that is, hopefully, useful. Together we can help eradicate stigma and signpost people to the services that can help them.
The facts
- An estimated 137,000 survivors of FGM are living in the UK, 10,000 of them are under the age of 15.
- There is a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment for carrying out or assisting in FGM.
- FGM can happen in any part of the world, including Europe and the UK.
- FGM is a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women.
How we can help
We’re here to help customers experiencing any form of abuse. We can provide advice, signpost to services and work with partners, including local police, to help people make their home a safe place to be. There are a number of positive things happening to help tackle FGM in the UK. This includes:
- Improving police response.
- Better funding for charities to raise more awareness.
- The introduction of a national FGM prevention programme.
- Partnership working with NHS England.
If you’re a resident and would like to speak to our Community Safety team, call us on 0300 123 1 567. A member of the team will be in touch with you within 24 hours. If you’d like to speak to someone else, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
If you’re in immediate danger, please call 999.
Other support agencies
