The Rose Centre offers information, advice and support for women who are experiencing medical, psychological and social problems as a result of all forms of abuse: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), honour-based violence, domestic violence etc. In addition, we offer workshops, education and up-skilling on wellbeing, healthy relationships and a range of health and social issues women have chosen. The Rose Centre offers a unique support service…

FGM information, advice and support, community engagement & awareness
Workshops on a range of social and health issues
Confidential 1-1 expert medical consultation and treatment
Peer to peer support and female companionship
Engage with communities to increase awareness of the dangers about the practice, and provide medical and legal information that will help young girls safe.

What is Female Genital Mutilation?

The Word Health Organization defines Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as “all procedures that involve the partial or complete removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical purposes”. FGM is also referred to as ‘female genital cutting’ or ‘female circumcision’.

This practice is not limited to communities from African countries, and is also practised in communities from Middle East and South East Asian countries. Genital alteration for cosmetic reasons is considered a form of mutilation.

A Department of Health Report (2014) highlighted Reading as one of 11 hotspots for prevalence of FGM practices in the UK. FGM is illegal in the UK, but it is believed there are over 170,000 women and girls living with FGM, an estimated 60,000 girls under 15 are at risk, and an estimated 137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK. Worldwide, over 140 million women and girls have undergone FGM

Facts about FGM:

FGM is practised on women and girls worldwide, including in the UK
FGM is child abuse
FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women, and considered as culturally based violence against them.
FGM can result in physical, mental, and psycho-social difficulties of survivors
FGM can affect pregnancy and childbirth
FGM can kill

Serious Crimes Act 2015 – Mandatory Reporting of FGM came into effect – 31 October 2015