How to report FGM
In this section:
| 1. Female genital mutilation (FGM) |
| 2. How to report FGM |
| 3. FGM support organisations |
If you suspect a person of carrying out FGM, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, there are various ways you can report it.
999 alert
Is someone in immediate danger? Is a crime taking place or has one just happened? If so, call 999 now and ask for the police. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
Report online
If you’d like to report online, you can use our online crime reporting service which is secure and confidential.
All reports made using this service are reviewed by our 24/7 contact centre within a few hours and someone will get back to you in a maximum of two days (although usually quicker).
Call 101
If you’d like to talk to someone, our national non-emergency telephone number is staffed 24/7. Call us on 101 and report what happened or just get some advice.
Visit a police station
If you’d like to speak to someone in person, we can provide a safe and comfortable environment at any of our police stations.
Please note
If you are a regulated professional, such as a health worker, social worker or teacher, you are required by law to report any ‘known’ cases of FGM directly to the police via our non-emergency number 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
‘Known’ means that you have either visually identified that FGM has been carried out, or you have had direct verbal disclosure from the child affected.
Other ways to report FGM
If you'd prefer to speak to someone else before reporting it to the police, you can contact:
- the national FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550.
- the NSPCC to speak to a professional practitioner
- the children's social care team at your local council
- Crimestoppers confidentially and anonymously
If you’re a child, you could also speak to someone you trust, like a friend, teacher or another adult and ask them to report it for you and get you help.