Why is it important that we can identify types of FGM?

“Health and social care professionals have a pivotal role to play in identifying, sharing information and reporting cases of FGM. It is through identifying women who have already gone through [FGM] that we can better help to prevent potential victims in the future – their female babies – from having to undergo the same practice. By reporting and sharing information, the necessary safeguarding strategies can be put in place and, when there are concerns that a child is at risk, the right action can be taken.

The important publication sets out recommendations aimed at those professionals who are key to bringing about the changes needed in the UK to help eradicate FGM.”

Keir Starmer

QC Director of Public Prosecutions, 2013

Taken from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists document: “Helps us to safeguard and take action” From rcog.org.uk

To begin, we need to cover the anatomy of the vulva. The vulva is the outer part of the female genitalia; it includes the opening of the vagina, the labia minora and majora and the clitoris. Knowing the vulval anatomy is key to being able to identify the different forms of FGM that we will discuss in the next section.

From: teachmeanatomy.info