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.