Tonge quizzes Browning on Female Genital Mutilation (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Tonge quizzes Browning on Female Genital Mutilation

September 16, 2011 11:49 AM

• [Sep 13] Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat): TO ask Her Majesty's Government what support services are available for those who have undergone female genital mutilation; and where they are located.

- TO ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to non-governmental organisations in disseminating information about female genital mutilation, through distribution of leaflets and other means.

Baroness Browning (Conservative): The Government are absolutely committed to tackling and preventing female genital mutilation (FGM) and we recognise that a joined-up approach across front-line agencies is needed to safeguard girls and protect women. Tackling FGM forms a key part of The Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls: Action Plan, published in March this year.

In 2010 we developed and distributed over 40,000 information leaflets and 40,000 posters that have been circulated to schools, health services, charities and community groups around the country. We have also established a regular forum for the voluntary and community sector to raise concerns with the Government and inform our work. This forum is also used to map community engagement work and identify best practice, such as the new multi-agency practice guidelines to help ensure that professionals are able and confident to intervene to protect girls at risk.

There are 15 specialist clinics (as of March 2011) in the NHS which treat women and girls who have been subjected to FGM, all with trained and culturally sensitive staff who offer a range of healthcare services for women and girls including reversal surgery. Services are confidential and in many instances interpreters are available. These clinics are open to women to attend without referral from their own doctors and are funded by local PCTs.

There locations can be found at: http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/resources/support/well-woman-clinics.

• Full Debate in Parliament