Female Genital Mutilation HLSCB MASF 3 rd March 2016

Female Genital Mutilation by country FGM is specifically prohibited in most countries. Most recently Iraq, Somalia, Kenya, Guinea Bissau and Uganda have prohibited the practice. Somalia has 98% prevalence rate. Cameroon has provision for dealing with FGM as assault but no specific law Gambia, Sierra Leone and Mali have no law in relation to FGM 1 in 5 girls who have had FGM live in Egypt. Not just in Africa - occurs in India, Yemen, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Middle East etc.

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…… 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; Injuries around wrists and ankles (restraint injuries) Prolonged absences from School plus a noticeable behaviour change…..

FGM ACT 2003 FGM is a violation of a female’s Fundamental Human Rights. The Act came into force on 3 rd March 2004 replacing the 1985 Act. This is organised crime. Figures show 24,000 females aged 4-15 in the UK are at risk of FGM and 66,000 have already been subjected to FGM in England and Wales. Girl or woman used to have to be a UK national, resident or settled person (Immigration Act) May be British citizen born to FGM practising family/overseas student/wife of overseas student/refugee/asylum seeker. SCA 2015 expands on this. Offender can be a person who assists, aids, abets, counsels or procures another to carry out the mutilation, even if it takes place abroad. Offender can be someone who assists, aids, abets, counsels or procures a female to perform the mutilation on themselves. 14 years imprisonment

Serious Crime Act 2015 Sections of the Serious Crime Act 2015 introduced the following new measures:Sections i) Extension of extra-territorial liability to ‘habitual’ UK residents (includes FGM offences committed abroad by or against people resident in UK regardless of immigration status). ii) Lifelong victim anonymity iii) Parents’ and guardians’ liability for failing to protect a child from FGM iv) Civil protection orders for FGM * v) Mandatory reporting for relevant professionals * The first three of the above provisions came into effect on 3 May 2015.

Mandatory reporting From 31 st October 2015, all regulated professionals (health workers, teachers, social workers) are required to report known cases of FGM or disclosed cases of FGM direct to Police.

FGM Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and illegal contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation act Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers are required now to report cases of FGM in girls under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work direct to the police. This is a personal duty; it cannot be transferred to anyone else.

Who has to comply with the duty? Regulated professionals Health and social care professionals regulated by the: –General Chiropractic Council –General Dental Council –General Medical Council –General Optical Council –General Osteopathic Council –General Pharmaceutical Council –Health and Care Professions Council (whose role includes the regulation of social workers in England) –Nursing and Midwifery Council Teachers - this includes qualified teachers or persons who are employed or engaged to carry out teaching work in schools and other institutions, and, in Wales, education practitioners regulated by the Education Workforce Council.

Who does it apply to? Girls under 18 who disclose they have undergone FGM Using all accepted terminology: Cut Circumcised Sunna Bondo When they visually identify physical signs appearing to show she has had FGM To summarise the above, there are two FGM reporting processes in place: 1. ‘At risk’ – this would relate to situations whereby the child victim is at risk of FGM being performed, suspected of being performed or suspected of having been performed. In these scenarios, normal safeguarding procedures and existing pathways would apply. 2. “Mandatory Reporting Duty” – this is the new reporting system, which would relate to known cases of FGM that have occurred already. “Known” would be where it has been directly disclosed by the victim to the professional that they have had FGM or where the professional has visually identified FGM. –****Remember this includes genital piercings and tattoos for non-medical reasons**** –**** The duty applies to known cases of FGM so should fall within non urgent circumstances. Should an A&E department come across a child who has just been cut, or there is an immediate risk to other children within the home then an urgent 999 response should be carried out ****

What should the professional do? Telephone ‘101’, the non-emergency crime number. Going through the MASH does not comply with the duty. All calls must be through 101 Discuss with local safeguarding lead to identify if there are other safeguarding actions required and how these will be taken forward Make a record of their actions, and write down the Police reference number ( CAD) Make sure someone with access to all the information is available to discuss further with the police lead investigator

Details required The caller will explain that they are making a report under the FGM mandatory reporting duty and need to provide the following details: –Name –Contact details (work telephone number and address) and times when you will be available to be called back –Role –Place of work Details of the organisation’s designated safeguarding lead: –Name –Contact details (work telephone number and address) –Place of work The girl’s details: –Name –Age/date of birth –Address If applicable, confirm that the professional/their organisation has undertaken, or will undertake, safeguarding actions

When professionals need to call The expectation is that professionals should report to Police via 101 as soon as possible (within 48 hours). In exceptional circumstances professionals can report up to one month. Safety of the girl (or other individuals at risk of harm) is the priority. Once the call to 101 has been made the duty to comply with mandatory reporting has been met. Failure to report is not a criminal offence but may lead to local disciplinary proceedings.

Some Barriers to Reporting… Children are unlikely to ‘tell on their parents’ Many from loving / caring families Once in a lifetime event Honour Based Violence Community Acceptance / Marriage Victims maybe too young to remember Language / Immigration status Unaware of UK law Lack of understanding of health implications.

FGM Protection Orders – a Hampshire case study On 27 October 2015 we received information from children’s services that a young girl was at risk of being removed from the country for FGM. Her father was named as the potential perpetrator. Identified within the MASH and agreed that a joint safeguarding investigation would be completed by Children’s Services and the Eastern Safeguarding Team. On 28 October 2015 a Safeguarding officer attended the child’s address On 2 November 2015 Safeguarding attended a legal strategy meeting with social services. Agreed an FGM PO was appropriate course of action. On 5 November 2015 Hampshire County Council applied at the Royal Courts of Justice for an FGM PO to prevent the father from subjecting the child to FGM. February 2016 – case adjourned

What do I do? Most importantly: seek medical attention if appropriate Do your best to ensure the victim is in a place of safety. Consider use of Police powers if appropriate (police protection order under Section 46 Children’s Act 1989) Submit a CYPR to MASH (RMS ) flagged as High. Remember to consider any other children in the family who could be at risk. MASH Sgt will hold an urgent strategy meeting with partners to identify agency roles in safeguarding any child. Early liaison with CPS Tactical advisor for investigation

Moving forward Hampshire Police action plan Community work Reviewing our data / ‘problem profile’ Up-skilling ‘leads’