Sharing Knowledge About Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Sharing Knowledge: Programme Dr Kate Cook (MMU); Peggy Mulongo (NESTAC); Faye Macrory (Consultant Midwife); Jaria Hussain-Lala (Chair, Greater Manchester Forum); Claire Mooney (Fabulous singer-songwriter); Raffle and further chance to view materials.

Sharing Knowledge: Kate Cook The new law; What is FGM?; and Some thoughts on genitals and change.

Sharing Knowledge: The law Female Genital Mutilations Act 2003 s.1 Offence of female genital mutilation A person is guilty of an offence if he excises, infibulates or otherwise mutilates the whole or any part of a girl’s labia majora, labia minora or clitoris...

Sharing Knowledge: Section 3A s. 3A Offence of failing to protect girl from risk of genital mutilation If a genital mutilation offence is committed against a girl under the age of 16, each person who is responsible for the girl at the relevant time is guilty of an offence.

Sharing Knowledge: Section 5A Schedule 2: Female genital mutilation protection orders The court... may make an order (an “FGM protection order”) for the purposes of: (a) protecting a girl against the commission of a genital mutilation offence, or (b) protecting a girl against whom any such offence has been committed.

Sharing Knowledge: 5B Duty to notify police of female genital mutilation A person who works in a regulated profession... must make a notification under this section if, in the course of his or her work in the profession, the person discovers that an act of female genital mutilation appears to have been carried out on a girl who is aged under 18.

Sharing Knowledge: Types

Sharing Knowledge: FGM as abuse o UNICEF identifies FGM as an offence against human rights. o FGM is understood to be a form of violence against woman and girls (VAWG). o FGM can be considered to be child abuse. o YET o “FGM is not an act of hate. It is carried out because parents believe it is in the best interest of their daughters.” S.Bufton, Criminal Lawyer, 2009.

Sharing Knowledge: Genitals

Peggy Mulongo Chair New Step for African Community (NESTAC)

Peggy Mulongo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Sue McAndrew Therapeutic Engagement SOS Model BJM Award-Winner 2015

Speaking the unspeakable: Social Physical & Emotional Support A safe space to discuss me: my feelings SOS CLINICS (Psychosocial Support Services) SOS EDUCATION SOS Community Engagement Initiative

SOS Model: A Two-Phase Project Access To Emotional Support Peer Support Training

SOS Project: Phase 1 While 160 were seen in clinic, 30 completed the WEMWBS 27 agreed to be interviewed. All women had 6 sessions of counselling The same therapist [a MH nurse] saw all the women All women completing the WEMWBS showed marked improvement at post-test

Phase 1: SOS Project Q1: ‘Describe your experience of attending the clinic’ “It was my saviour because I was frustrated and anxious, very nervous in life. I discovered the causes of this when I was speaking during therapy.” 07 “It was the first time I felt cared for, listened to and looked after. “ 06 “To discuss FGM and my stress. Discussion of me being outcasted and having a sense of being cared for. “ 09

SOS Project: Phase 1 Q2: ‘What was most helpful when attending the clinic?’ “Being listened to, being valued, being cared for and my culture understood.” 13 “The way we discussed my fears & traumas. My culture was respected & discussed.” 08 “Listening, telling my story to someone who understood my culture. Learning to believe myself.” 15

Q3: ‘What more would you have liked when attending the clinic’ 22 of the 27 women said they would have liked more time, especially in terms of the number of therapy session. “More sessions, I needed more time to heal from my trauma.” 06 “I have more in my chest that I want to take out. I wish sessions continue for a longer time. I have more to say, I need to talk.” 20 SOS Project: Phase 1

Phase 2: Sustainability through peer mentorship 12 people successfully completed the peer training June/July peer mentors are now helping out at the SOS clinic 5 peer mentors are SOS volunteers helping with group sessions and FGM events.

Mental health and culture by Peggy Mulongo Suggestions –Adapting existing therapies to the client’s culture –Awareness of cross cultural differences in underlying assumptions –Acceptance and non-judgemental approach –Mindfulness based approach to distressing psychotic symptoms –Learn from carers Vs. training for carers –focus groups and face to face interviews with patients and carers

HARMONY SOS: Being With; Being There For For Further information please contact: Peggy Mulongo – Sue McAndrew –

Faye Macrory Consultant Midwife

NHS Update · DH Data collection · FGM Prevention Orders (FGMPO) · Mandatory Reporting · FGM Risk Indicator System (FGM RIS) · Next steps ?

Jaria Hussain-Lala Gt. Manchester FGM Forum Chair

Background Established in 2011: First of its kind in GM Awareness Resistance Membership

Prevalence Report 1 st report commissioned in 2012 GT Manchester a ‘hotspot’ All areas had affected communities Substantial increase over last years

Communities in Gt Manchester Somalian Eritrean Nigerian Gambian Sudanese Yemeni Sierra Leone Egyptian Guinean Kurdish Bohra Malaysian Indonesian

Prevalence report cont.. Limited data Inconsistent recording from key agencies Lack of awareness - recognition and response – support pathways

Addressing the gaps Rolled out `training the trainer’ trained 20 trainers who could then train others/developed a standardised training model for FGM; GM FGM Protocol- key agencies on how to respond with a focus on a child; Produced information for professionals; Supported a local radio station to develop a FGM Project which involves females from at risk communities hosting a radio programme; Developed a e-learning training package- held good practice model.

Raising the profile Buy in from PCC Training – Wigan/Oldham, regular training; Rochdale – Campaign via life channel; Safeguarding Boards – Support from GM Safeguarding Partnership; Health Professionals (Community and Acute Trust ), a number of trusts have had training delivered; BBC- partnership work; Mapping schools – Informing schools of medium/high; Linking with national organisations White Ribbon Campaign UK, FORWARD.

Membership in 2015 Police & Crime Commissioner; Acute Trusts; Gt Manchester Safeguarding Partnership; Health care professionals Drs, Nurses, Consultants; Public Health; DVA Co-ordinators; Children's Safeguarding Leads; Health Safeguarding Leads; GMP; All known Community Groups within GM; and Non profit organisations.

Gaps in 2015 Need for more awareness across all professionals of the issues; Limited specialist services to support victims – services oversubscribed; Lack of therapeutic support provision for children; Limited data/inconsistent recording.

Work Plan nd prevalence report in first draft with pathways; Developing GM wide strategy; Rolling out lessons in high schools with pupils; Developing information for young people; Community engagement - working with them to abort the practice; Developing a primary school education resource; Supporting professionals/developing capacity.

Thank You Contact:

Claire Mooney "A supremely gifted songwriter and performer...Mooney kept the crowd enthralled" Leicester Mercury

Raffle Proceeds to NESTAC Upcoming event: SOS Project NESTAC Weds 9 Dec at Z Arts, Stretford Road. Please also complete the FEEDBACK FORMS!