Latest experimental statistics about female genital mutilation published

7 March 2017

New official figures published today provide experimental statistics on female genital mutilation (FGM) in England, from October 2016 to December 2016.

The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Enhanced Dataset is a repository for data collected by healthcare providers² in England, including acute hospital providers, mental health providers and GP practices.

There are two main types of count used in FGM Enhanced Dataset publications:

1.Newly recorded³ women and girls who have had their FGM information collected in the FGM Enhanced Dataset for the first time. 'Newly recorded' does not necessarily mean that the attendance is the woman or girl's first attendance for FGM or that the FGM has been recently undertaken.

2. Total attendances⁴ where FGM is identified or a procedure to treat FGM is undertaken. Inclusion in this category does notnecessarily meanthat the FGM has recently been undertaken.

The FGM Enhanced Dataset cannot measure the total prevalence of FGM in England, only those cases of FGM recorded since the collection began on 1 April 2015.

The data captures information including but not exclusively:

• FGM Type⁶
• Age at attendance
• Country of birth
• Country where FGM was undertaken
• Clinical treatment function where attendance occurred
• Whether deinfibulation⁷ was undertaken at the attendance

Copies of the report are available at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20180328130852tf_/http:/content.digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB23494/ 

ENDS

1. NHS Digital is the national information and technology provider for the health and care system. Our team of information analysis, technology and project management experts create, deliver and manage the crucial digital systems, services, products and standards upon which health and care professionals depend. During the 2015/16 financial year, NHS Digital published 294 statistical reports. Our vision is to harness the power of information and technology to make health and care better. NHS Digital is the new trading name for the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). We provide 'Information and Technology for better health and care'. Find out more about our role and remit atwww.digital.nhs.uk

2. There are 188 NHS trusts and 942 GP practices registered on the FGM Enhanced Dataset collection system, representing 79.0 per cent of active NHS trusts and 12.5 per cent of active GP practices

3. Newly Recorded women and girls with FGM are those who have had their FGM information collected in the FGM Enhanced Dataset for the first time. This will include those identified as having FGM and those having treatment for their FGM.

4. Total Attendances refers to all attendances in the reporting period where FGM was identified or a procedure for FGM was undertaken. Women and girls may have one or more attendances in the reporting period. This category includes both newly recorded and previously identified women and girls.

5. The four FGM Types defined by the World Health Organisation (https://www.who.int/) are: Type 1: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (clitoridectomy). Type 2: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (excision). Type 3: Narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris (infibulation). Type 4: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, including pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization. The FGM Enhanced Dataset includes two additional categories relating to FGM Type 3 and an Unknown value: History of Type 3: Current state where a woman or girl had FGM Type 3, but has since been deinfibulated. Type 3 - Reinfibulation Identified: Current state where a woman or girl has been closed previously opened and is currently closed again. Unknown: When the FGM category could not be ascertained. It is acknowledged that even for experienced healthcare workers who frequently see women and girls with FGM it can still often be difficult to determine the type of FGM that had been undertaken.

6. Deinfibulationis the surgical procedure to open up the closed vagina of a woman or girl with FGM Type 3. Deinfibulation is often undertaken to facilitate delivery during childbirth.

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