What is it?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. FGM is both physical and emotional abuse of girls and is a Child Protection issue.

Forced Marriage

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or for reasons of vulnerability cannot consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used. It is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

The ‘force’ can be physical threat or actual violence, emotional abuse or imprisonment until the person ‘agrees’ to the marriage or actually goes through the marriage ceremony.

Honour Based Violence

Honour based violence is abuse or violence which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of a family or community. It is often linked to family members or acquaintances who mistakenly believe someone has brought shame to their family or community by doing something that is not in keeping with the traditional beliefs of their culture. For example, honour based violence might be committed against people who:

• become involved with a boyfriend or girlfriend from a different culture or religion
• want to get out of an arranged marriage
• want to get out of a forced marriage
• wear clothes or take part in activities that might not be considered traditional within a particular culture

How to get help

If you are in immediate danger call the police by dialling 999. If you would like to speak to a police officer but it isn’t urgent then you can call 101.

Your Victim Focus Officer can support you and help you access specialist help. Click here to find out about your local Victim Focus Team and how to contact them.

BAWSO – http://www.bawso.org.uk

Bawso is an all Wales support provider, delivering specialist services to people from Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) backgrounds who are affected by domestic abuse and other forms of abuse, including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking & Prostitution. Bawso currently runs projects supporting over 5,000 people every year in Wales through the provision of purpose built refuges, safe houses, and an extensive Outreach and Resettlement Programme and Floating Support Programme. Bawso provide support, advice and information from their offices in Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea.

Contact the 24 hour helpline on: 0800 7318147 or contact their regional offices:

• Cardiff 029 20644 633 (Clarence House,Clarence Road, Butetown, Cardiff, CF10 5FB)
• Merthyr 01685 375 394 (Teulu MAC47 – 48 Pontmorlais West Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UN)
• Swansea 01792 642 003 (63 Mansel Street Swansea SA1 5TN)

NSPCC/ National FGM Helpline

 You can contact the NSPCC helpline by emailing fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk or calling free on 0800 028 3550

Forced Marriage Unit  – http://www.forcedmarriage.net/ineedhelp.html

The Forced Marriage Unit supports victims of forced marriage in the UK and overseas.

Tel (0) 20 7008 0151  Email: fmu@fco.gov.uk