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Annual statistical publication for FGM shows 5,391 newly recorded cases during 2016-17
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There were 5,391 newly recorded cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) reported in England during 2016-17, according to the second publication of annual statistics from this data set.
Female Genital Mutilation: Law and Practice is a specialist title, written in close consultation with survivors of FGM and frontline practitioners from across the spectrum of disciplines. It provides a comprehensive and readily accessible guide for judges, lawyers, social workers, teachers, midwives and other related professionals.
The FGM statistics, published on 4 July 2017 by NHS Digital, also showed that there were 9,179 total attendances in the same period where FGM was identified or a medical procedure for FGM was undertaken.
Women and girls born in Somalia account for more than one third (35 per cent or 875 cases) of newly recorded cases of FGM with a known country of birth (2,504). Of the newly recorded cases, 112 involved women and girls who were born in the UK.
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In 57 cases, the FGM was known to have been undertaken in the UK. Where the nature of the UK procedures was known, around 50 were genital piercings (FGM Type 46 - piercing).The 5 to 9 year old age group was the most common age range at which FGM was undertaken. This equates to 44 per cent (739) of the total number of cases from any country, where the age at the time of undertaking was known (1,673).Female Genital Mutilation Enhanced Dataset, April 2016 to March 2017, experimental statistics includes information gathered from acute trusts, mental health trusts and GP practices.FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and the law was strengthened in 2003 to prevent girls travelling from the UK and undergoing FGM abroad. It became mandatory for all acute trusts to collect and submit to the FGM Enhanced Dataset from 1 July 2015 and for all mental health trusts and GP practices, from 1 October 2015.The report also shows:- 123 NHS trusts and 74 GP practices submitted one or more FGM attendance record in 2016-17. Submissions are only required when there is data to report.
- Almost half of all cases relate to women and girls from the London NHS Commissioning Region - 48 per cent (2,560) of newly recorded cases and also 48 per cent (4,415) of total attendances.
- 139 girls were reported as being aged under 18 at the time of their first attendance, comprising 3 per cent of all newly recorded cases.
- 88 per cent (2,202) of women and girls with a known country of birth were born in an African country. This breaks down as follows - Eastern Africa 1338 (53 per cent), Western Africa 505 (20 per cent) and Northern Africa 339 (14 per cent). 175 (7 per cent) were born in Asia.
- 154 deinfibulation procedures were reported. This procedure is often performed to facilitate delivery during childbirth.
Read the full report here.
