Must double efforts on FGM say midwives on new report

By RCM on 06 February 2017 FGM - Female Genital Mutilation

Today on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Zero Tolerance Day the charity Plan International UK published a report. This said that a woman in England attends a medical appointment where FGM is identified every hour on average.

Commenting on the report Janet Fyle, Professional Policy Advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “The scale of FGM in this country is shocking as these statistics show. We are making progress but it is telling that the UK has yet to see a single prosecution for FGM. We are now collecting the statistics but behind every one is a girl or young woman who has been through a terrible experience. FGM has long lasting health and psychological impact on the survivors and this is why we must double our efforts to tackle it. 

“It is regrettable that health care and psychological support service provision is patchy in the UK and in some areas of high prevalence, access to services is non existent or clinics are being closed down. This is against a background of rising FGM statistics, suggesting that there are many women and girls that we need to offer support to. 

“The government must fulfil its obligation to provide care and support for survivors, many of whom are young women living with the consequences of FGM. Today is Zero Tolerance to FGM Day. We must have no tolerance at all for those who commit this terrible crime against girls and young women.”

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