Female genital mutilation poster campaign targets mothers and carers

Theresa May, the residence secretary, who launched the poster campaign, explained female genital mutilation was ‘often a hidden crime’. Photograph: Oli Scarff/PA

A poster campaign aimed at mothers and carers who suspect a lady is at threat of female genital mutilation is becoming rolled out across cities in England and Wales.

The posters urge ladies, especially individuals in Somali, Kenyan and Nigerian communities which have a higher prevalence of FGM, to call an NSPCC-committed helpline if they are suspicious. The posters will be positioned in public toilets, and also sent to schools, GPs’ surgeries, police stations and hospitals to be displayed in personnel areas.

A lot more than 20,000 women below the age of 15 could be at substantial danger of FGM in England and Wales each 12 months, with virtually 66,000 women possessing knowledgeable the method.

Announcing the poster campaign, the home secretary, Theresa May possibly, stated: “FGM is unlawful and it is kid abuse. The government is completely committed to tackling and avoiding this hazardous practice in order to safeguard and defend all woman and females who could be at a threat. It often benefits in severe consequences for their physical and mental overall health and we should do everything we can to eradicate it for excellent.

“This campaign builds on an extreme work under way across government. We comprehend far better than ever just before the prevalence and distribution of what is often a hidden crime and we are determined to see perpetrators brought to account in court.”

The posters will be positioned in washrooms across 17 London boroughs, in Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester, Bristol, Sheffield, Liverpool and Cardiff. They will direct mothers and carers to phone the cost-free 24-hour NSPCC FGM helpline (0800 028 3550) to report suspicions anonymously, or ask for aid and advice if their own daughter is at chance.

Norman Baker, the crime Prevention minister, mentioned: “Mothers have the power to stop this occurring to their daughters and the following generation. Political or cultural sensitivities have to not get in the way of preventing and uncovering this terrible kind of abuse. The law in this nation applies to absolutely everybody.”

The campaign will run till August to reach communities during the college holidays when most women are at danger.

The NSPCC has been contacted by much more than 200 folks since it launched its helpline final yr but believes this is the “tip of the iceberg” with thousands vulnerable.

In addition to the posters, on-line advertisements aimed at mothers will run on Facebook and Netmums, which will direct them to the NSPCC internet site for assistance and tips.

Female genital mutilation poster campaign targets mothers and carers