Up to 6,500 girls are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK each year. More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut in the 29 countries in Africa and Middle East where FGM is concentrated.

FGM is sometimes referred to as Female Circumcision or Female Genital Cutting, is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the range of procedures which involve ‘the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reason’.

The Department of Health’s guidance for professionals Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM was updated in May 2016 and can be accessed here.

Coventry University (Centre for Communities and Social Justice) created a new App for young people to explain FGM and what to do if you are worried about yourself, a friend or family member. Called Petals it is available online at    www.petals.coventry.ac.uk and you can find out more about the project here

If you are concerned about a child contact the Front Door on 0345 2000 109

If someone is at immediate risk of harm always call 999

If you know of children you believe to be at risk of FGM, or of people you believe are carrying out FGM, or you have any other information relating to FGM offences, please contact Northumbria Police on 101

If you are abroad, or know someone who is abroad, and require help or advice call The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on +44 (0) 20 7008 1500 or Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – GOV.UK.