Jump to a section:
Telephone the police on 999. Explain that you are worried a child is being taken to the airport to leave the county so that FGM can be performed. The police will alert airport police to prevent their departure and then work with social services to protect the child.
Call MASH, Oxfordshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub if you are worried that a child may be cut. 0845 050 7666.
Tell a teacher – a friend that you trust could come with you.
Tell the border control officers at the airport. For example, while your family’s baggage is being checked, alert the airport staff that you are worried about your safety and you need to speak to someone alone.
Call the NSPCC FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 for more information or email them at fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
You should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if you or someone you know has already been taken abroad:
| Telephone: | 020 7008 1500 |
| From overseas: | +44 (0)20 7008 1500 |
Call the police on 999.
You can make a referral if you are concerned that a child is at risk of harm to MASH, Oxfordshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. This means Social Services will get involved to protect the child. Children are only removed from families in cases of last resort where there is no other way to protect them. For most families, children are protected through families talking to professionals.
Telephone: 0845 050 7666.
Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 7310055
NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
0800 028 3550 (FGM Helpline) – a free 24hr service for advice, information or support.
Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
FOWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health, Research and Development)
020 8960 4000
FORWARD is a leading UK charity working to tackle FGM of African girls and women. They will support anyone concerned about FGM.
Visit their website at www.forwarduk.org.uk
Police (non-emergency): 101
There is a child abuse investigation unit dealing with FGM known as Project Azure.
020 7161 2888
You can get information from the Home Office that might help you argue against FGM.
You can obtain a small leaflet to carry with you about the UK law in various languages on tel. 0870 241 4680. Or you can download the leaflet in English at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279233/FGM_Feb_2014_v5.pdf
There is also a Home Office leaflet about the facts that may help you explain why you or someone you know should not be cut. You can download the leaflet at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300167/FGM_leaflet_v4.pdf
For further information contact FGMEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
+44 (0) 20 7008 1500
Call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if you are abroad and need help or advice.
0800 11 11 (this number will not show up on a phone bill). You can also email the counsellor on the Childline website:
http://www.childline.org.uk/explore/abusesafety/pages/female-circumcision-fgm-and-cutting.aspx
The most important thing to know is that you can get help to stay safe – you don’t have to try and cope with this on your own.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSENGLAND/ABOUTNHSSERVICES/SEXUAL-HEALTH-SERVICES/Pages/fgm-resources.aspx
NHS Choices provides practical advice and information about FGM.