SC&O5 & SC&02
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
PROJECT AZURE
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
DC Natalie Reseigh
For Police eyes only. WARNING this presentation contains images some might find upsetting
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
Summer is for fun not for pain. The summer sadly is the most prevalent time of year for the practise of Female
Genital Mutilation, 6,500 girls in London alone are at risk of being horrifically mutilated
& subject to life threatening injuries
What is FGM???
All procedures which involve the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or injury to the female genital
organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons
World Health Organization definition
FGM IS CHILD ABUSE
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
Health Implications
The child victims regularly suffer a number of the
following health Implications
• Shock severe pain & Trauma
• Wound Infection, Septicaemia, Tetanus,
• Urine retention
• HIV & Hepatitis Infection
• Exhaustion from Screaming
•Failure to heal
•Abscess formation
•Excessive growth of scar tissue
•Pelvic Infection due to menstrual obstruction
•Obstruction to Urinary Flow & Urine Infections
•Complications with child birth
•Broken/fractured bones from being pinned down
against their will
10% of Child Victims of Type 3 FGM Die due
to this Inhuman procedure
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
The following areas of the world are prevalent for the purpose of FGM & every year girls from
the UK are taken to these countries so the procedure can be carried out.
Senegal, Gambia, Iran, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mauritania, Mali
Malaysia, Cote D’Ivore, Burkina, Benis, Togo, Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Iraq, UAE, Sudan
Somalia, Zambia, Uganda, Sudan, Pakistan, Egypt.
Whilst some females will be taken out of the UK to have this
barbaric Procedure inflicted upon them. it is known that it is
also carried out discreetly within the UK.
All officers must be aware of this offence as they may be the
first to respond to an allegation or linked incident
within their BOCU. Officers responding must contact SC&O5 straight away
& be aware the victim may have suffered life threatening injuries.
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
The Law
FGM is Child Abuse and against the Law…..
The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it illegal to:
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Practice FGM in the UK
To take girls who are British Nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM whether or not it
is lawful in that country
To aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad
Penalty of up to 14 years in prison or a fine
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
Police Protection
Remember your power under S46 Children Act 1989
Where a constable has reasonable cause to believe that a child would otherwise be likely to suffer significant harm he
or she may
Remove the child to suitable accommodation and keep him or her there
Or
Take reasonable steps to prevent the child's removal from hospital or other safe place
Section 46 (1)
Tactical Options ….Arrest ? Police Protection?
- Inform the designated officer
- Police Protection lasts up to 72 Hours
- Inform Social Services
Create Crime report & Merlin/Pac
If you receive a call or information from someone indicating that a child is at
immediate risk of FGM Urgent response by police is required
Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse Command
WHAT TO DO & WHO TO CONTACT FOR ADVICE
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If FGM is suspected inform your Duty Officer & CID immediately
Contact Project Azure on 0207 161 2888 or projectazure@met.police.uk
Create a MERLIN/PAC so that Social Services can be made aware
Create a crime report – REMEMBER THE PG FLAG
Think Intelligence, Think CRIMINT
Contact your local CAIT team
If out of hours SCD reserve on T 68666 or 796563
THANK YOU