Management Information Sheet

With the long summer holidays only weeks away Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk County Council are taking the opportunity to urge schools to be vigilant in guarding against the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage (FM).

As Designated Safeguarding Leads we would like to draw your attention to the FM and FGM guidelines which are designed to keep children safe. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 made it a criminal offence to force someone to marry. Such legislation provides a clear definition of what forced marriage is, empowering both the victims and those of us responsible for protecting vulnerable people at risk of such an offence. Nationally the Crown Prosecution Service estimates that there are between 8,000-10,000 forced marriages occurring each year within the UK. This equates to approximately 30 per day and highlights the nature of the issues facing us as professionals. The Serious Crime Act, 2015 added new powers to protect those at risk of or who have been subjected to FGM. There is a mandatory duty for all regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report to the police, if, in the course of their duties: they are informed by a girl under the age of 18 that she has undergone an act of FGM. Approximately 65,000 girls under the age of 13 who have been born in England and Wales are at risk of FGM.

NHS Digital has published an experimental statistics report on female genital mutilation (FGM) in England for the period January - March 2017. Figures show that: there were 2,102 attendances reported at NHS trusts and GP practices where FGM was identified or a procedure for FGM was undertaken; 1,236 women and girls had their FGM information collected in the dataset for the first time - where information about these women and girls was recorded 95% were aged 17 or younger when FGM was carried out.

All professionals working within statutory agencies including education, social and health care, police, housing, and the voluntary sector need to be aware of their responsibilities when they encounter these 'hidden crimes'. If the victim is allowed to walk out of the door without support, that one chance to protect and safeguard them against harm may have been missed.

'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (2016) outlines the expectation that school staff should be aware of the guidance in respect of FGM and FM, and be vigilant to the risk of it being practiced. Multi-agency practice guidance relating to both of these issues highlights how staff can make a difference and offer practical support to victims. Awareness of these issues is particularly important when considering applications for absence for extended trips overseas and when children go missing from school.

Norfolk Constabulary in partnership with Norfolk County Council has produced resources that can be used within school to raise awareness of these issues. These resources including links to national and local guidance and e-learning can be accessed via the Norfolk Schools website. Further information is also available from Norfolk Constabulary.