HSCP Strategy
Tackling Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) In Hampshire: A Partnership Approach *December 2019 pending update*
This strategy rests on two fundamental premises:
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a form of violence against women and girls
- The practice is illegal in the UK and it is also illegal to take a British national or permanent resident abroad for FGM or to help someone trying to do this
(HM Government, 2015)
The strategy was developed to define a coordinated and effective set of responses to the threat of FGM between strategic organisations and frontline professionals across Hampshire.
The strategy aims to provide frontline staff with guidance on safeguarding women, children and young girls who have undergone or at risk of undergoing FGM. A summary of practical guidance is included in the procedures for frontline staff section which contains the following:
- Flowcharts for under 18s
- Flow chat for adults over 18s
- Risk assessment tool for use in practice
- Guidance on reporting and recording of FGM
This document was jointly developed by the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) and Hampshire Safeguarding Adult Board (HSAB).
Partners within both Boards (commissioners & Providers) are encouraged to raise awareness of FGM and share this strategy with professionals within the services they commission and provide.
In addition to providing a strategic framework, this document offers a practical, evidence based set of recommendations to address the many issues relating to FGM in order to prevent and tackle the damage such practice can cause on the health, wellbeing and quality of life of some of our residents.
A series of fact sheets have been included at the end of the document to act as a quick guide to key FGM issues and signpost agencies and individuals to local, national and international resources (Home Office , 2016).
Whilst this strategy is intended to be fully reviewed every three years, members of the HSCP and HSAB will be responsible to ensure the document remains current and the fact sheets up to date.
Should you spot any inaccuracy, gap or out of date information please contact