This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Jatinder Matharu, Education Safeguarding Professional, for the attention of all schools.
We are all aware that FGM practice intensifies during the summer months and as schools we also have the mandatory duty to report any incidents of FGM.
With summer is fast approaching, we are keen to get messages out to young girls around FGM and honour based/force marriage. Though we are in the midst of a pandemic and international travel is restricted, it is still important that we raise the profile of these unsafe and harmful practices as many incidents also occur in the UK.
I have attached awareness posters which you can display across the school to raise awareness and there are lots of resources you can access to start the conversation in your school about FGM ahead of the summer break.
Oxford Against Cutting (OAC)
Oxford Against Cutting (OAC) is committed to working to help prevent female genital mutilation (FGM) and honour-based abuse (HBA) of girls and women living in the Thames Valley. There are some fantastic resources, including short video slips, teaching resources including lesson plans. Click here for more resources.
The Slough Safeguarding Partnership
The Slough Safeguarding Partnership have a range of leaflets in different languages you can access here.
The PHSE Association
The PHSE association has accredited FGM lesson plans which you can access here.
NSPCC FGM Helpline
Promote the NSPCC’s FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk | Further information can be found here.
FORWARD
FORWARD has played a key role in placing FGM on the national and global agenda as a violation of human rights and women’s issues highlighting the links between FGM and other harmful practices. More information can be found here.
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s are working with the National FGM Centre in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA). The centre provides specialist social work intervention to local authorities, alongside training for professionals across the UK. Click here to find out more.
The multi-agency statutory guidance was updated July 2020 and can be found here.
Free e-learning course from virtual College can be accessed here to raise the profile among the workforce.