No hiding behind religion or culture “The domestic violence team is very clear that we don’t condone female genital mutilation – you’re essentially colluding if you’re saying it’s a cultural thing.” fiona dwyer, violence against women and girls In an emergency… If you or someone you know is in immediate risk of harm, call the emergency services by dialling 999. News No excuse for child mutilation BY JACQUELINE HARTHILL TOWER Hamlets Council is working with agencies across five London boroughs in a bid to stamp out the genital mutilation of young girls. With the approach of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) approaching on February 6, campaigners are calling for the practice to be stopped. Fiona Dwyer, the Violence against Women and Girls strategy manager for Tower Hamlets, said a lot of behaviour – including FGM –was excused in the name of culture. “The domestic violence team is very clear that we don’t condone FGM – you’re essentially colluding if you’re saying it’s a cultural thing. No religions, no actual cultural groups condone any sort of violence, it’s just people’s interpretation of that,” she said. “The director of public prosecutions has said that they are moving towards their first conviction for FGM. However, the issue is that families don’t want to prosecute their own families. I’m really hoping that this prosecution will be very public.” The Female Genital Mutilation Act was introduced in 2003 and came into force in 2004 but so far there have been no prosecutions in the UK. Tower Hamlets is taking a multi-agency approach to tackling FGM with the establishment of the North East London FGM group working across five boroughs. Its focus is on three key areas: protecting those at risk and highlighting the importance of prevention; improving safeguarding and health for women who have undergone FGM; and improving data collection and research. Columbus Ndeloa is the director for the Centre for Development and Community Welfare (CEDCOW) in neighbouring Newham, which has been campaigning against FGM for many years. He said the conventional strategy of public campaigning, political speeches and direct police intervention had neither helped nor saved young girls at risk of FGM, or those who have become victims and need support. CEDCOW is calling for a change in favour of a community-led approach, one which is also endorsed by the United Nations. “At the moment, there are only a few FGM trained and resourced professionals available in hospitals and schools. Equally, there are very few charities with adequate resources and trained staff to identify and provide support to FGM victims,” he said. “FGM takes place ‘underground’ and perpetrators and victims are publicly silent about it. This makes it difficult to easily identify victims as they are brainwashed into accepting that ‘cutting’ is the right thing in their culture or religion.” This year’s day of zero tolerance on February 6 will be aiming to mobilise local communities to combat FGM through a community-based approach to awareness-raising and peer education. CEDCOW will be organising events No religions, no cultural groups condone any sort of violence; it’s just people’s interpretations.” Fiona Dwyer around this date, working with practicing communities to create an environment of trust and protection for affected women and those at risk. As part of its efforts, it has trained community FGM advocates who will identify potential victims and offer support and referrals. FGM is a dangerous practice and is against the law. If you, or someone you know, is in immediate risk of harm you can call the emergency services by dialling 999. The police and health services recognise FGM and can protect you from harm. For more advice you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org The Metropolitan Police Service has a dedicated service for girls at risk of FGM. Call the Child Abuse Investigation Command/Project Azure on 7161 2888. For advice and support, call Tower Hamlets domestic violence team on 0800 279 5434 (office hours only). More details about the CEDCOW projects can be found at www.cedcow.org Daughters of Eve is a charity that gives advice, including about the different medical reversal options, childbirth and how to live as healthily as possible with FGM – text 07983 030488 or go to www.dofeve.org female genital mutilation the facts l enitalnit female e en tilationt fththe fcts ffactsfact fma mut t factst the f Ú ÚÚ @HG<?4G<BA Ú FGM is illegal in the UK. It is also an offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to carry out FGM abroad or to assist the carrying out of FGM abroad. The maximum penalty for an offence is 14 years’ imprisonment. No religious doctrine supports FGM. FGM has serious long-term health consequences for the girls and woman affected. Be informed, be aware and be ready to flag a concern. SAY NO TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION Don’t let it damage another generation. www.fco.gov.uk/fgm 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2014 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 11
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