1. Tackling the Issue of FGM
Mary Shannon and Gabi Hesk
University of Salford

2. The work that Salford University has done on the issue of FGM - 2012

3. Healthcare for Vulnerable Migrants Dr Rebecca Farrington
Sexual Health
Sexual assault
Continued risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Complications of FGM.
Unplanned pregnancy
High risk pregnancy
Precarious relationships
Sensitive explanation and support for screening, treatment and prevention needed for both women and men

4. In 2014… ‘A further amendment to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 to encompass those who advocate female genital mutilation (FGM) for religious or cultural reasons should be considered. A specific offence of inciting and condoning the practice of FGM would make it easier to bring cases against those who advocate it, whether they reside in or are visiting the UK’. (Local Government Association(LGA)Serious Crime Bill, Second Reading Briefing House of Lords16 June 2014)

5. 2015… The Politics of Location Conference
The conference created a space that interwove activism, practice, academic scholarship and testimony to interrogate and trouble constructions of the concept and experience of migration from a variety of perspectives. The key note speakers set out key current debates and issues in the field of migration. In particular, our distinguished keynote speakers reflected the ways in which the activism of Black feminist theory born out of intersecting subjugated knowledge in the matrix of power (Hill Collins, 2000) offers a ‘politics of location’ (Boyce Davies, 1994:153; Kaplan, 1994) that is pivotal to negotiating interdisciplinary, inter-subjective, psychic, emotional, political and practical explorations of migration. Critical analysis of the concept and experience of movement, migration and mobilization provided a lively and informed discussion.

6. Refugee Week 2016 Opening of the Calais Photography Exhibition
Tuesday 21st June 2016
Opening of the Calais Photography Exhibition
Ice&Fire Theatre Company 'Asylum Monologues'
Thursday 23rd June 2016
Seminar: Challenging dominant narratives: Stories of women seeking asylum
Friday 24th June 2016
Understanding the Immigration Act 2016: Implications for community members and practitioners

7. This was a greatly organised and hugely important event to bring together researchers, migrants, organisations and students to discuss these relevant issues which will surely make a big difference to all attendees
As an indigenous white man, the realisation of the need to understand what to "us" are everyday, ordinary things.
There are so many things that people need to know about to raise awareness
FGM awareness
Learnt about health issues eg FGM

8. Why it is important for us to engage with the issue of FGM?
 Preparing our Social Work students to deal with any FGM case that they would encounter part of their future professional work
Or during their student placements

9. Challenges we faced…. Emotive subject Mixed gender and cultural groups
Sometimes large teaching groups
Time on the curriculum with a lot of other topics to consider

10. Feedback from the sessions
Information was key
Facilitator provided very visual and detailed images
Great level of detail
Graphic
Built on some knowledge they already had

11. ‘’ …present(s)…without glossing over the facts’’

12. Gave a real confidence to students for when they encounter practical situations with FGM:
‘’I feel more comfortable and confident at a practical level…’’

13. Students felt really able to ask questions
They knew about some aspects of FGM but being able to ask more information helped improve their confidence
‘’ It has clarified lots of questions I had’’

14. The cultural and social implications were really well put
Increased understanding of the context was key
‘’ …the science…and the cultural issues…’’
‘’the cultural and social implications of FGM…’’

15. The facilitator incorporated a male perspective
‘’ Thinking about FGM from the male perspective…educating fathers can help protect their daughters’’

16. One student fed back:
Our experience shows the importance of raising the issue at all levels of education – schools, further education
‘’ it’s the best session on the course so far!’’

17. References
Local Government Association(LGA), June 2014, Serious Crime Bill, Second Reading Briefing House of Lords; accessed on