Help and support for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
All women and girls deserve the right to control their bodily autonomy, however, FGM violates this bodily autonomy.
Help is available if you have had FGM or you’re worried that you or someone you know is at risk.
- If someone is in immediate danger, contact the police immediately by dialling 999.
- If you’re concerned that someone may be at risk, contact the NSPCC free helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
- If you’re under pressure to have FGM performed on your daughter, ask a GP, your health visitor or another healthcare professional for help, or contact the NSPCC helpline.
- If you have had FGM, you can get help from a specialist NHS gynaecologist or FGM service – ask a GP, your midwife or any other healthcare professional about services in your area.
Further support is available by clicking on the links below:
- Victim Care Hub – provides free, confidential support for victims of crime and those impacted by crime who are residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Their aim is to help you cope and recover from the effects of crime, regardless of whether or not you have reported to the police.
- National FGM Support Clinics (NHS) – a place for women with FGM to discuss their health needs in a sensitive and non-judgmental environment.
- Support services | FORWARD (forwarduk.org.uk) – provides advice, one-to-one support and signposting to other services for women and girls affected by any form of violence. They provide advice and support on domestic abuse, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and other harmful practices.
Help and support for “Honour-Based” Abuse
It can be difficult to talk about what’s happening, but telling someone can really help.
Is someone in immediate danger? Is a crime taking place or has one just happened? If so, call 999 now and ask for the police. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
The police understand that you might be scared or feel disloyal, but they are here to listen and support you in any way we can.
If you’re concerned about someone else and think they might be being abused, call 101 for advice.
If you’d like to speak to someone in person, the police can provide a safe and comfortable environment at any of their police stations.
If you don’t want to report it to the police, you can report information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers either through their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
Further support is available from these charities and organisations:
- Karma Nirvana – for confidential advice and support. They support individuals facing “honour-based” abuse, as well as support professionals on how to handle “honour-based” abuse cases with resources, training and data. They also have a helpline, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm: 0800 5999 247.They can also help if you’re concerned about someone else being abused.
- The Halo project – a national project that supports victims of “honour-based” violence, forced marriages and FGM by providing advice and support to victims.
- Freedom Charity – bringing awareness, help and support to victims of forced marriage, “honour-based” violence and female genital mutilation (FGM).
- Refuge – a charity helping victims rebuild their lives and overcome different forms of violence and abuse. They also have a 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247.
- Runaway helpline – advice and support for people who are thinking about running away or if they’ve already run away.
- Missing people – providing help, hope and support for missing children and adults and loved ones left behind.
- National Centre for Domestic Violence – provides a free service that lets anyone who has recently suffered from, or been threatened with, domestic abuse apply for an emergency court injunction.
- Victim Support – a national charity dedicated to helping anyone affected by crime to cope with and recover from their experience. If it doesn’t have an office in your area, it can point you to local help.
- Citizens Advice Rushmoor – working alongside other local agencies to support people experiencing domestic abuse.
- Yellow Door – specialist workers in their Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy team including a Harmful Practices worker who will work with you to prevent harm and support you. The Harmful Practices Worker will provide case advocacy for all ages and genders who have experienced or are at risk of harmful practices including FGM, forces marriage, “honour-based” abuse and breast flattening. The team team offer support in a range of different languages and have specialist skills and experience in working with diverse communities.