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About Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed without any medical reason.
It's also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan.
FGM interferes with the natural functions of a woman or girl's body. It can seriously harm their health.
Get detailed health information about FGM on the NHS England website.
Female Genital Mutilation is illegal
FGM is illegal in Scotland and the rest of the UK. It’s also against a person’s rights to health and to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Anyone found guilty of performing FGM, or helping it to take place, can face up to 14 years in prison. This includes if they’ve taken someone abroad for FGM.
Read more about FGM and the law on the FGM Aware website.
Who is at risk
FGM is carried out for various cultural, religious and social reasons within some families.
There is no acceptable reason to justify FGM. It is a harmful practice.
Signs someone could be at risk of FGM include:
- a parent is from a community where FGM is more common
- their mother has had FGM
Get more information on indicators of FGM risk on the FGM Aware website.
If you're concerned someone is at risk
If you or someone else is in immediate danger related to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), call 999.
If there is not an immediate danger, view information on how to report FGM concerns.
Information in other languages
The Scottish Government has a formal statement opposing FGM. It includes information on the law as well as sources of help and support.
The statement is available in:
- English
- Arabic
- French
- Swahili
- Somali