The global narrative on ‘FGM’ is internationally accepted but its origins lie in colonial racist epistemology which produce legislation and policy with harmful consequences. We challenge this narrative, exposing its history and identifying anti-racist ways of ending harmful cultural practices.
Bringing together academics, experts in the delivery of care to sexual trauma survivors, community partners, and lived experience contributors, this project used puppetry as a cross-cultural tool to explore and articulate what is ‘unsayable’ about intimate relationships after FGC, and to consider how UK health providers can better respond to the life-long physical, mental and sexual health consequences.
FGMo can produce long-term physical, mental and sexual health consequences. This research, in collaboration with Caafi Health, examines the health care needs and experiences of women and their families affected by FGMo.
This project explores the state interventions to tackle ‘FGM’, using FOI requests to police forces, courts and local authorities, in relation to the use of mandatory reporting, FGM Protection Orders and powers under the Children Act 1989.
This study reviews the evidence underpinning current UK FGM-safeguarding policy, using FOI requests and publicly available sources. It found these data to be sparse and problematic, with the numbers claimed to be at risk considerably over-inflated as a consequence.
This project, in collaboration with Somali Parents Against Stigmatisation, explored the impact of approaches to FGM-safeguarding – conducted in the home, schools, health, and border settings – on Somali-heritage families living in Bristol.