TY - JOUR T1 - Female genital mutilation: everyone’s problem JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 515 LP - 516 DO - 10.3399/bjgp13X673586 VL - 63 IS - 615 AU - Janice Rymer AU - Norma O’Flynn Y1 - 2013/10/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/63/615/515.abstract N2 - Female genital mutilation (FGM), euphemistically called female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or injury to the female genital organs for non-therapeutic reasons’. Globally, as many as 3 million girls are at risk of having it performed every year. Over 20 000 girls aged <15 years are at high risk of FGM in the UK each year and 66 000 women in the UK are living with its consequences, although its true extent is unknown because of the hidden nature of the crime.1 In the UK there is still an attitude that this is a problem of ‘elsewhere’ and this violent abuse of non-consenting girls is somehow distant and not our problem. This attitude must change.The reasons behind the practice are complex. In some communities, for example, it is believed that the process of mutilation means the victim will preserve her virginity until marriage and keep her sexual organs clean. The traditional aspect of FGM in some families means it can be perceived as being beneficial and secures the girl’s status.1 The tradition is mainly perpetuated by women; men do have some influence but their knowledge about the procedure is poor. A recent study of 1000 Gambian men showed that 77% did not realise that FGM has a negative impact on women’s health and 60% thought it was equivalent to male circumcision.2The physical consequences of FGM are significant and include: bleeding, infection, damage to local structures, infertility, and death. The psychological consequences are also severe and include high levels of mood and anxiety disorders as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. … ER -