Abstract

This two-page review is about the issues psychologist/therapist experience when treating Female genital mutilation (FGM). This research was composed by the experiences of mental health practitioners. FGM is considered a form of child abuse (NSPCC, 2018), the difference from other forms of trauma is the perpetrators are the mothers. FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. With an increase in migration to the UK of people who still practice this horrific custom, FGM has become more prevalent in the UK and it is estimated that approximately 137,000 women and girls have been victims of the practice. Around the globe, 130 million girls and women have undergone FGM (World Health Organisation (WHO, 2014). In Africa, 101 million girls aged 10 and over have been subjected to FGM (WHO, 2014). Every year a further 3 million girls are at risk of FGM in Africa alone (WHO, 2014), amounting to almost 5,500 each day.