Submitted by: NCW Health Committee

NCW, aware that Types 1,2 and 3 of Female Genital Mutilation are clearly observable and recordable but that other forms of FGM are not, urges HMG to give a category of FGM Type 4 to those other forms of abuse. This would give professionals and victims a clear diagnosis and improve record-keeping.

1. Communities who practice pulling and piercing of the clitoris and other manipulation of the female genitalia are not, in their eyes, practicing mutilation or abuse because there is no “cutting” involved and the procedure cannot be described under the present designation of “FGM Type 1,2 or 3″.
   
2. There needs to be more awareness of the practice and training in history-taking.