Violence Against Woman and Girls

Question 1

What is honour based violence?

Answer 1

Crime committed to defend the honour of a family/community

Question 2

What is FGM?

Answer 2

All procedures that involve partial/total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural/non-medical reasons

Illegal here

Question 3

What are the 4 types of FGM?

Answer 3

1 - clitoridectomy partial/total removal of the clitoris & in v. rare cases, only the prepuce

2 - excision
partial/total removal of the clitoris & labia minora with/without excision of labia majora

3 - infibulation
narrowing of vaginal opening through creation of a covering seal (made by repositioning inner/outer labia) +/- removal of clitoris

4 - other
E.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, cauterising

Question 4

What is de-infibulation?

Answer 4

Surgical procedure to open up the closed vagina of FMG type 3

Question 5

What is re-infibulation?

Answer 5

Re-stitching of type 3 FGM after child birth

Illegal in UK

Question 6

What are the other names for FGM?

Answer 6

Cutting

Female circumcision

Question 7

What are the justifications for FGM?

Answer 7

Preservation of virginity and chastity 
Religion 
Social acceptance
Fear of social exclusion 
Ensure girl is marriageable 
Hygiene and cleanliness
Increasing sexual pleasure for male
Family honour
Enhancing fertility

Question 8

When does FGM tend to be carried out?

Answer 8

Age 15

Question 9

Who does the FGM?

Answer 9

Traditional cutters

?healthcare workers in countries where it is illegal

Question 10

What are the short term health impacts of FGM?

Answer 10

Severe pain, shock
Infection 
Injury to adjacent tissues
Sprains, dislocations, broken bones/internal injuries from being restrained
Immediate fatal haemorrhaging 
Blood borne viruses

Question 11

What are the long term health impacts of FGM?

Answer 11

Urinary retention 
Difficulties in menstruation 
Uterine, vaginal, pelvic infections
Cysts & neuromas
Complications in pregnancy & childbirth 
PTSD & psychological effects
Sexual dysfunction etc.

Question 12

In the UK what law protects against FGM?

Answer 12

Prohibition of FGM Scotland Act 2005
FGM is illegal and persons who performs FGM and those who aid and abet it are acting against the law
Also illegal to take someone out of the UK to have FGM

Question 13

If there appears to be a risk of FGM what should occur?

Answer 13

Child protection procedures
Consider female siblings
Local guidelines should be in place

Question 14

What are the key documents in FGM?

Answer 14

Scotland’s national action plan - to prevent and eradicate FGM
Tackling FGM in Scotland - A Scottish Model of Intervention