News / Crime
Bristol second in UK for FGM
Bristol has the highest number of recorded cases of female genital mutilation outside of London according to the first extensive national research on the practice.
The Bristol City Council area was second only to Brent out of all local authorities in the UK, with 705 cases recorded between March 2015 and April 2016.
The FGM Enhanced Dataset has been released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
is needed now More than ever
The data also shows that two out of every 1,000 females in Bristol were recorded to have had the procedure carried out last year.
FGM is a form of female circumcision most common in the Horn of Africa. The practice is rooted in gender inequality and attempts to control women’s sexuality.
It is illegal in the UK and rules to prevent at-risk girls from travelling abroad for “cutting ceremonies” were tightened last year.
Bristol charity Integrate has won international awards for getting the practice of FGM on the global agenda.
City Academy pupil Fahma Mohamed, whose parents fled Somalia when she was seven, led a national campaign which saw her granted a private audience with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon in 2014. She was awarded an honorary degree by University of Bristol last week.
Following the release of the data on Thursday, Sharon Copsey, NSPCC regional head of service in South West England, said: “It is really concerning that there are thousands of newly recorded cases of women who have suffered
“FGM across England, especially when many of these have endured the procedure at such a young age. Parents should be fully aware of the fact that FGM is against the law in the UK and causes serious and long lasting physical and emotional harm to the children it is inflicted upon.
“There is also a requirement for all professionals, families and members of the public to share information about FGM and the terrible damage it can cause on young women living in our communities. Only by being open and talking about this issue can we really start to reduce the number of women who are exposed to what is a barbaric act.”
Anyone worried a child is at risk can call the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550.
Top picture: Lawrence Hill by Sam Saunders
Read more: FGM campaigner to receive honorary degree