Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. It has no health benefits and can cause serious physical and emotional harm. FGM is illegal in the UK.
FGM can happen to girls or women of different ages, in the UK or abroad. You can ask for help if you think it may happen to you or someone you know; you do not need to wait until it has happened.
An FGM protection order is a family court order for someone at risk of FGM or someone who has already experienced it. The court decides which legally binding conditions are needed for that person's circumstances. For example, an order may stop someone arranging FGM or taking a person abroad for it, or require a passport to be surrendered.
The court can make an order urgently, including without telling the people named in the application beforehand, if immediate protection is needed.
An order can help both before and after FGM has taken place. There is no court fee to apply.
Tell the court why protection is needed straight away. You can ask it to consider an order without notice to the other people involved. The court may then arrange another hearing where they can attend. If you apply without notice, you will need a written statement explaining the urgency.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
The hearing is normally private. The court may ask for more information, make a temporary order while it considers the case, or make an order for a set period or until it is changed or ended. You can tell the court if you need an interpreter or other support to take part.
The order must be given to the people it applies to, and the police are informed. Ask the court or your legal adviser how the documents will be served; if you are applying as an individual, do not serve them on the respondent yourself. If the order is broken, contact the police. Breaching an FGM protection order can be a criminal offence.
We can listen to your concerns, help you think through immediate safety needs and connect you with appropriate legal and safeguarding support.