Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also called female circumcision is where a girl has the external parts of her genitals (private parts) cut, changed or removed.
FGM is not done for health reasons and it is a crime in the UK. It is also a crime to take a girl abroad from the UK to have it done.
A sign that a girl may be at risk of FGM is if she talks about going home for a special event or party or that she is going away but will be coming home an adult. FGM is most often carried out during the summer holidays to allow time for healing.
Who can help
You can also telephone the police in an emergency on telephone 999. For non emergencies you can telephone the police on 101.
More information about FGM can be found on the ChildLine website.
