Scotland's national action plan to prevent and eradicate FGM: year one report

Positive gender roles are promoted to ensure that women and girls affected by FGM are empowered to achieve their full potential.

Medium

FGM is identified within overarching prevention work on Violence Against Women and Girls

Review Violence Against Women and Girls strategies and action plans to explicitly include actions to prevent the practice of FGM and provide services to those affected by FGM

Individual and multi-agency response by CPPs (Community Planning Partnerships), Integrated Joint Boards ( IJBs), Police Scotland, Violence Against Women Partnerships, Child Protection Committee ( CPC) Scotland, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Committees ( MARACs)

FGM is referenced in Equally Safe.
Multi-Agency Practice Guidance due for publication in 2017 includes best practice for agencies and organisations responding to FGM. VAWPs are currently in the process of developing their new strategies or reviewing their existing ones to ensure compliance with this guidance and the ambitions set out in Equally Safe.
The multi-agency Violence Against Women Partnership Guidance that was published by CoSLA and the Scottish Government in August 2016, notes that every local authority area in Scotland is expected to have a multi-agency partnership in place that has strategic responsibility for working to address all forms of VAWG at a local level, including FGM.

Police Scotland is updating strategic and local action plans.

Short/Medium

Gender Based violence including FGM is recognised as a public health issue

Public health strategies and services involve partner agencies and community organisations to raise awareness of the right of all women and children to be free from FGM

All statutory and third sector organisations

Ongoing -€“ Scottish Government has funded the development of a range of training and awareness raising materials in relation to FGM. Funding has continued into 2017/2018. All materials have been widely circulated.

KWISA - empowerment programme for survivors; main focus is guardianship of African women's dignity using a holistic approach and emphasis that FGM is more than cutting.

Universities and Service Providers -€“ carry out community focused awareness raising with aim to highlight the important role of affected communities in ending FGM.

Women and men have equality of opportunity particularly with regard to access to resources.

Medium/Long

Public sector agencies understand and fulfil their general and specific duties as set out in the Equality Act 2010, and include FGM within the gender-based violence strategies

Review gender-based violence strategies and action plans to explicitly include access to resources to enable public sector organisations to understand their duties to prevent FGM and provide services to those affected by FGM

All statutory organisations

A review of current activity across Health Boards in Scotland on all forms of GBV is underway. This will provide a national picture of local responses to FGM and will inform the development of future priorities for the NHS in Scotland, including specific actions to progress practice in relation to FGM.

Police Scotland is updating strategic and local action plans and working with other key stakeholders in contributing to multi-agency guidance.

Women and girls potentially affected by FGM feel safe, respected and equal in our communities.

Short

Provide clarity of legislation and policy position on FGM in Scotland

Provide FGM Statement and raise awareness around holiday times to prevent FGM and to be included in Police Scotland initiatives at airports and ports

Scottish Government, statutory and non-statutory organisations including Education, Scottish Airports and Ports, Police Scotland

FGM statement was reprinted Summer 2016 and widely disseminated through networks. The FGM statement was updated, reprinted and distributed again in summer 2017.

Scottish Government officials provided input into Police Scotland Operation Limelight in September 2016.

Police Scotland engaged with other forces across the country in Operation Limelight. The terms of reference for this operation have been extended to not only enforcement work around ports and airports but to overarching work around eradication of FGM.

Police Scotland facilitated an FGM Conference with the theme of "Breaking Down Barriers" on 9th June 2017.

KWISA -€“ ongoing awareness raising with affected communities highlights legislative framework and policy on FGM in Scotland and comparison with other countries.

Medium

Implement an FGM prevention plan to prevent harm and support women and girls at risk of harm

All partners to engage with multi-agency working groups and committees, nationally and at a local authority level

Individual and multi-agency response by CPPs (Community Planning Partnerships), Integrated Joint Boards ( IJBs), Police Scotland, Violence Against Women Partnerships, Child Protection Committee Scotland, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Committees ( MARACs)

The multi-agency Violence Against Women Partnership Guidance that was published by CoSLA and the Scottish Government in August 2016, notes that every local authority area in Scotland is expected to have a multi-agency partnership in place that has strategic responsibility for working to address all forms of VAWG at a local level, including FGM. The Improvement Service is currently funded by the Scottish Government to provide support to all VAW Partnerships across Scotland, to help ensure they are operating effectively and to help them to undertake the key activities expected of them. To support this work, we are in the process of setting up a working group (with representatives from the CPP Manager Network, VAW Network, COSLA and the Improvement Service) to develop a set of 'service standards' that outline the key process/ services that are expected to be in place at a local level to tackle all forms of VAWG (including FGM) that local authority areas can assess themselves and report against.

Police Scotland is working with key stakeholders to contribute to the multi-agency guidance. If Police Scotland receives reports of FGM they will be dealt with robustly through each divisions child protection procedures.

Medium

Police Scotland, with partner agencies will coordinate local and national media campaigns to raise awareness of emerging forms of abuse

Police Scotland

Police Scotland is progressing an awareness raising strategy. They have participated in events around Day of Zero Tolerance and research projects. Police Scotland held a multi-agency FGM Conference "Breaking Down Barriers" on 9th June 2017. There is ongoing discussion regarding the best methods for intelligence capture.

Medium

Police Scotland, with partner agencies, will implement prevention strategies to influence social attitudes and reduce vulnerability

Police Scotland

Police Scotland has Child Protection multi-agency working groups in place. Membership of these groups is drawn from the statutory sector including NHS, Social Work, Education, government and crown office.

Police Scotland held a multi-agency FGM Conference "Breaking Down Barriers" on 9th June 2017. They will continue to build relationships with third sector organisations and members of the potentially affected communities.

Kenyan Women in Scotland Association ( KWISA) has held joint events with the police to raise awareness in communities of the role of the police in preventing FGM.

Medium

Police Scotland will review national FGM training to ensure it provides its frontline staff with the skills they need, and enabling multi-agency training

Police Scotland, other statutory agencies, third sector agencies

Police Scotland has Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPS). The current SOP for FGM and harmful traditional practices is under review. SOPs ensure that the response to FGM is consistent, sensitive and meets the need of individuals and communities affected. The SOP recognises that where a child or young person is involved a GIRFEC based approach will be required. Police Scotland has participated with statutory and third sector partners fully in the development of the Multi Agency Guidance to ensure that responses on a multi-agency basis are connected, consistent and take into account the need to share information safely and appropriately to keep those at risk or who have been affected safe.

People enjoy healthy, positive relationships and understand the damaging effects that FGM has on those relationships

Short

Provide information about FGM and gender equality and children's rights

Raise awareness of FGM and the services available, and development of all communities, including young people, men, religious leaders and others, recently arrived migrants, asylum seekers and refugees

Scottish Government, third sector and statutory agencies

SG has developed and maintains currency of it's on line FGM information resources and continues to fund the Women's Support in 2017/2018 to maintain and develop FGM awareness raising and training resources for professionals to help them respond to FGM.

Scottish Government Web Pages: /policies/violence-against-women-and-girls/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
OneScotland: http://onescotland.org/
FGM Aware: http://www.fgmaware.org/

SG has reprinted and distributed widely the FGM statement.

SG has also funded for 2017/2018 (£60k) My Voice which raises awareness of FGM amongst young people and communities.

SG funds Kenyan Women in Scotland Association ( KWISA) £25k 2017/2018 to raise awareness in the African community in Scotland. Cabinet Secretary for Communities Social Security and Equalities provided the keynote address at their annual conference in February 2017.

Short

Education Scotland will review, update and develop learning resources that can be used in the classroom in an age appropriate manner

Education Scotland, NHS Health Scotland

Discussion with NHS Scotland ongoing through development of guidance and through implementation group.
Schools and early learning centres are supported to evaluate and improve their practice in relation to safeguarding and child protection. Self-evaluation resources such as How good is our school? and How Good is our early learning and childcare? provide schools and centres with guidance on effective safeguarding approaches, including female genital mutilation. With the inclusion of a specific safeguarding and child protection quality indicator within these national improvement resources, schools are able to identify good practice and areas for development. All inspections now include and evaluation of safeguarding and child protection approaches and the impact they are having on keeping children and young people safe. Schools and centres are asked to identify how professional learning and development of staff improves their knowledge and understanding of FGM.
Education Scotland is currently updating information related to FGM on the National Improvement Hub ( NIH). In collaboration with other agencies, we are identifying appropriate resources to support practitioners in schools and early learning centres and will promote relevant information and resources on the NIH.

Short

Make available up-to-date factual information on the impact of FGM on the health and wellbeing of the affected individuals

NHS Boards, third sector organisations

Scottish Government has funded a range of training and awareness raising materials on the health impact of FGM and continues to fund in 2017/18.
In February 2016 Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, issued guidance on service specification and service standards in relation to FGM. It further advised boards to develop pathways of care for survivors and to raise awareness of health professionals across key service areas. http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2016)05.pdf
Multi-Agency Guidance due for publication in 2017 will also contain information on the health implications of FGM.

Medium

Scope the impact and implications that elongation of labia and other practices has on potentially affected communities in Scotland, and develop appropriate response

Scottish Government, third sector organisations, NHS Boards

Discussion on other harmful traditional practices such as elongation will be progressed through the implementation group.. Scottish Government officials carry out ongoing liaison with Home Office officials including discussion around other harmful traditional practices. Confirmation provided in July 2016 that no hard evidence exists in England and Wales; however some anecdotal evidence from communities.
Research published in England and Wales will help to inform discussion in Scotland. http://www.afruca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Final-Labia-Elongation-FGM-Report.pdf

Through engagement, KWISA has confirmed that labia elongation ( LE) has not been addressed in the past due to lack of awareness in potentially affected communities that it is a form of FGM; and has established the need for a scoping exercise in Scotland. Such a study will not only confirm the scope and implication of elongation, but it will raise awareness about the phenomenon, both in potentially affected communities and with service providers.

Individuals and communities recognise the implications and are able to challenge FGM

Medium

Communities potentially affected by FGM and professionals are supported to identify and analyse common issues within affected communities and develop strategies to challenge behaviour and influence change in communities, service provision and policy making

Investment made in community engagement and development to enable the recognition of the implications of FGM and are able and empowered to challenge the practise of FGM. This to include all sections of the potentially affected communities including men, women, children and young people

Scottish Government and other funders

SG funding for (£270,000 2017/2018) supports a range of interventions and projects to recognise and to empower young people to challenge FGM in Scotland. Funding Includes:

• Kenyan Women in Scotland Association FGM is More than Cutting £ 30,000
• Waverley Care ( DARF)
• My Voice: Participatory Action Research £60,000
• Saheliya Equal Safety Project £48,783
• Saheliya Champions for Change £18,000

For example: Kenyan Women in Scotland Association ( KWISA) training incorporates the role of communities in ending FGM.

KWISA is delivering an empowerment programme for survivors; main focus is guardianship of African women's dignity using a holistic approach and emphasis that FGM is more than cutting. Using a Do No Harm approach, our goal is to end FGM without denigration.

KWISA uses a rights based community development approach which recognises that women's equality and empowerment are key to eradication of FGM and other harmful practices.
Zero Tolerance Conference targeted affected communities and attended by religious leaders from diverse faiths and all stakeholders
-Ongoing engagement with faith leaders with view to sign a declaration against FGM this will take place in 2017).

Short/Medium

Agencies and organisations should publish and maintain online information and resources e.g. onescotland.org and Scottish Government webpages and FGM Aware, NSPCC Helpline, Scottish Women's Aid, the Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline, the free app called Petals

Scottish Government and all partners in statutory and third sector

SG has developed and maintains currency of it's on line FGM information resources and has funded third sector organisation (£40k 2017/2018 to maintain and develop FGM awareness raising and training resources for professionals.
Scottish Government Web Pages: /policies/violence-against-women-and-girls/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
OneScotland: http://onescotland.org/
FGM Aware: http://www.fgmaware.org/

Individuals who support FGM change their attitudes and behaviour and are supported to do so

Medium

Statutory services work with partner agencies and community organisations to raise awareness of the right of all women and children to be free from FGM

Investment to be made in community-based engagement and development with all members of the potentially affected communities, including men, women, children and young people to change attitudes and behaviour

Scottish Government and other funders

SG funding for 2017/2018 (£270,000) supports a range of interventions and projects to recognise and to empower young people to challenge FGM in Scotland.

Kenyan Women in Scotland Association Preventing FGM and addressing the impact of Harmful Traditional Practices ( HTP) £ 20,000

Waverley Care ( DARF)
My Voice: Participatory Action Research £60,000

For example, KWISA has pioneered a holistic approach on Harmful Practices ( HPs) based on knowledge and experience that social change happens when the people who are affected by an issue take an active role in tackling the problem with support from policy and laws.
KWISA has maintained international links with FGM campaigners and with affected communities in and monitors global updates on FGM to ensure a coordinated approach and awareness of changing trends.

Women and girls who have been affected and who are potentially affected by FGM have access to relevant, effective and integrated services

Medium

Delivery of coordinated and consistent services via a multi-agency response to those affected or who may be affected by FGM

Regular multi-agency meetings to exchange information and good practice about FGM locally and with other regions in Scotland

Multi-agency response by CPPs (Community Planning Partnerships), Integrated Joint Boards ( IJBs), Police Scotland and Violence Against Women Partnerships, Child Protection Committee Scotland, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Committees ( MARACs) and other statutory and third sector agencies

Multi Agency Guidance covering responding to FGM will be published in 2017.

Multi-Agency attendance at Police Scotland Child Protection Strategic Group is continuing on a quarterly basis. These groups bring together representatives from across Police, the statutory sector to receive updates on and to discuss best practice in relation to FGM.

The FGM National Action Plan Implementation Group facilitates wider discussion and information sharing.

Health Scotland is working with Scottish Refugee Council and community representatives to develop mechanisms for engagement with local health boards to promote awareness of needs, and accessibility of local healthcare services.

Short

All statutory agencies have at least one named professional with expertise on FGM in addition to the lead officer, where they are different individuals

All statutory agencies

Multi Agency Guidance due for publication in 2017 will inform the process to deliver a named lead in relation to FGM. Implementation Group will facilitate this. Letter from Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer issued February 2016 requested that health professionals in Scotland implement processes for the recording of FGM within health boards. Details of appropriate codes were provided in-
http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2014)19.pdf

Police Scotland Public Protection Policy Support holds the portfolio for FGM and will represent the force at meetings and events. The Detective Inspector within the family Protection Unit in each division has local oversight of FGM.

Medium

Consistent recording and reporting of FGM data to inform responsive and high quality service development and monitoring of services

Demonstrate improved data capture for FGM:
recording
reporting
risk assessment
referrals/monitoring
information sharing

All statutory agencies

Letter from Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer issued February 2016 requested that health professionals in Scotland implement processes for the recording of FGM within health boards. Details of appropriate codes were provided in- http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2014)19.pdf
Importantly, the ISD led short life working group has noted the dependency on clinical staff for the recording of FGM in the correct part of the clinical records e.g. in hospital discharge summaries and GP practice clinical records. SG officials and health leads are liaising to discuss how this is being taken forward in practice and to examine data collection in the health setting.

All FGM concerns will be raised on a Child Concern Form within Police Scotland interim vulnerable persons database. This allows for information to be shared with relevant partners and any subsequent IRD (Interagency referral discussion) to be undertaken. We have also commenced a national register to collate figures. The submission of intelligence on SID (Scottish Intelligence Database) is embedded in child protection procedures.

Medium

Multi-agency information sharing protocol developed and publicised locally to statutory and non-statutory sectors

All statutory agencies

Subject to discussion. Outline in Multi Agency Guidance. To be published 2017.

Short/Medium

Each NHS Board has a clear protocol and a referral pathway to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive health and social care service, including generalist and specialist services, are available and accessible informed by the local need

Provide information to healthcare staff, including those in general practice and community clinics (paediatrics, genito urinary clinics, mental health, etc.) to enable them to access up-to-date information about the range of health and other local and national statutory and voluntary sector services that offer support to survivors of FGM

NHS Boards, IJBs

Letter from Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, February 2016, issued guidance on service specification and service standards in relation to FGM. It further advised boards to develop pathways of care for survivors and to raise awareness of health professionals across key service areas.

http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2016)05.pdf

Importantly, the ISD led short life working group has noted the dependency on clinical staff for the recording of FGM in the correct part of the clinical records e.g. in hospital discharge summaries and GP practice clinical records.

Short/Medium

Healthcare workers and other professionals should provide relevant information to survivors of FGM about support services and how to access them

NHS Boards, CPPs, IJBs, third sector, university and student college welfare

Multi-Agency Guidance to be published 2017 will help to inform the provision of advice and information to survivors. NHS Lothian has developed an information leaflet on FGM and a home visit for all pregnant women is offered.

Short/Medium

Individuals who experience trauma as a result of FGM should receive access to trauma informed mental health services

NHS Boards, IJB's

Implementation Group will facilitate discussion as to how survivors can access services. In Lothian a specialist midwife is able to refer women affected by FGM to a psychiatrist for support.
NHS NES is leading the development of a Knowledge and Skills Framework on trauma informed service provision available in April 2017. Implementation of the model, and accompanying training, will be developed subsequently.

Short/Medium

Through partnership working improve Police Scotland's response to FGM and increase opportunities for early and effective interventions in respect of victims and perpetrators

Police Scotland to work collaboratively with partners to create national processes for the submission of intelligence on FGM

Police Scotland

Police Scotland has been a key partner in the development of multi-agency guidance and has input comprehensively in the development of protocols around information sharing and risk assessment. Work is ongoing in relation to developing best methods for capture of intelligence specific to FGM from affected communities. Police Scotland has also commenced a national register to collate figures. The submission of intelligence on SID (Scottish Intelligence Database) is embedded in child protection procedures.

Short/Medium

Improve the reporting methods by third party reporting for those affected by FGM

Police Scotland, all statutory agencies, third sector organisations

Multi-agency guidance due for publication in 2017 will provide best practice for agencies and organisations in reporting FGM. Work is ongoing in relation to the best methods for third party reporting in relation to FGM.

Medium

Nationally collate the number of child concern referrals/Inter Agency Discussions ( IRDs) received by Police Scotland for FGM and maintain a national FGM register to provide operational coordination and an overall assessment of FGM prevalence across Scotland

Police Scotland, Child and Adult Protection Committees, CPC, ASPC Scotland, MARACs, and VAWPs

As part of the Equally Safe Accountability Workstream, the Improvement Service is currently in the process of developing a performance management framework that can be used to measure the work that is being undertaken locally to address all forms of VAWG, and the impact it is having. While this is still in development, it is intended that it will include indicators to begin to capture data on the numbers of women and children identified as being affected by different forms of VAWG at a local level, including FGM. The draft indicators included in the performance framework are currently being tested in 18 VAW Partnerships across Scotland with feedback due by the end of May. They are also being consulted on as part of the consultation on the Equally Safe Delivery Plan.

All FGM concerns will be raised as a child concern form within the interim vulnerable persons database. This allows for information to be shared with relevant partners and any subsequent IRD (Interagency referral discussion) to be undertaken. Police Scotland has also commenced a national register to collate figures. FGM Submissions on Scottish Intelligence Database are also embedded in child protection procedures.

Service providers competently identify FGM, and respond effectively

Short/Medium

All statutory organisations equip their workforce with the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to effectively identify and respond to FGM, identify risk and follow local procedures for reporting child and adult protection concerns

To develop multi-agency national guidance for front line staff and their organisations, to address FGM in Scotland

NHS Health Scotland, Police Scotland, local authorities, CPPs, higher educational institutions and all relevant third sector organisations

Multi Agency Guidance will be published in 2017 and will be widely disseminated.

Community based organisatons such as KWISA contributed to the national consultation on multi-agency guidance and represented on the multiagency guidance working group.

Specialist midwifes are providing ongoing training and awareness to maternity services staff in relation to recognising and responding to FGM.

Medium

All statutory agencies will develop a comprehensive suite of guidance documents to ensure all staff is confident and competent at identifying and responding appropriately

All statutory agencies and higher educational institutions

Multi-Agency Guidance due for publication in 2017 will help to inform staff responses to disclosures of FGM, inform risk assessment and appropriate action in cases of FGM.
A local multi-agency protocol has been developed in Lothian and Borders to assist staff across agencies to identify and respond to FGM.

Police Scotland Standing Operating Procedures for FGM are currently under review.

Short/Medium

Healthcare staff in key settings should be equipped to sensitively enquire about patient experience of FGM and to respond effectively to disclosures of FGM. For example, assess risk and take appropriate action

NHS Boards, NHS Health Scotland and IJBs

Multi-Agency Guidance due for publication in 2017 will help to inform staff responses to disclosures of FGM, inform risk assessment and appropriate action in cases of FGM.
A proposal to develop training on the clinical identification and management of FGM in addition to existing awareness raising packages is being developed with key clinicians, specialists and 3rd sector agencies to support improved detection and response.

Medium

To develop and maintain FGM educational materials and resources for teachers to support children, parents/carers and other networks, to include annual safeguarding update

Education Scotland

In the Education sector in Scotland, schools and early learning centres are supported to evaluate and improve their practice in relation to safeguarding and child protection. Self-evaluation resources such as How good is our school? and How Good is our early learning and childcare? provide schools and centres with guidance on effective safeguarding approaches, including female genital mutilation. With the inclusion of a specific safeguarding and child protection quality indicator within these national improvement resources, schools are able to identify good practice and areas for development. All school inspections now include and evaluation of safeguarding and child protection approaches and the impact they are having on keeping children and young people safe. Schools and centres are asked to identify how professional learning and development of staff improves their knowledge and understanding of FGM. Education Scotland is updating information related to FGM on the National Improvement Hub ( NIH). In collaboration with other agencies, they are identifying appropriate resources to support practitioners in schools and early learning centres and will promote relevant information and resources on the NIH.

Medium

Each Child Protection Committee and Adult Protection Committee should have an inter-agency learning and development strategy to reflect the training needs of the multi-agency workforce, with specific reference to the role of the Named Person and lead professional in identifying and responding to women and children at risk of or affected by FGM

Individual and multi-agency response by CPPs (Community Planning Partnerships), Integrated Joint Boards ( IJBs) and Violence Against Women Partnerships, Child Protection Committee ( CPC) forum, and; Social Work Scotland, Scottish Child Protection Committee Chair Forum

The National Adult Protection Coordinator highlighted the FGM Action Plan at the Scottish Adult Protection Conveners Group on 15th February 2017 and the Social Work Scotland Adult Protection Network (Lead Officers/Coordinators) on 7 ^th February 2017.

Justice and child protection responses to FGM are robust, swift, consistent and coordinated

Short

Police to ensure that they respond sensitively to the concerns raised by professionals and others

To develop awareness of and access to the guidance for police on how to respond to FGM

Police Scotland

Police Scotland has developed Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPs) to ensure that their response to FGM are consistent, sensitive and meet the needs of individuals and communities affected. Police Scotland is currently reviewing their FGM SOP. The SOP recognises that where a child or young person is involved a Getting it Right For Every Child ( GIRFEC) based approach will be required. Police Scotland has participated with statutory and third sector partners fully in the development of the Multi Agency Guidance to ensure that responses on a multi-agency basis are connected, consistent and take into account the need to share information safely and appropriately to keep those at risk or who have been affected safe.

Short/Medium

Statutory agencies respond appropriately to children at risk of FGM

Children affected by FGM have a child's plan

CPP, IJBs and Social Work Scotland, Scottish Child Protection Committee Scotland

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 places the Child's Plan on a statutory basis and a Child's Plan must be instigated in all cases where a targeted intervention is required to address a wellbeing need for a child between the ages of 0 and 18 years, including where a child is at risk of significant harm and is on the child protection register.

When a conference decides to place a child's name on the Child Protection Register, a plan must be agreed by the conference to reduce the risk to the child and provide support to the child and family.

Clarity and detail must be provided relating to the roles and responsibilities of the various people involved in the plan, including agency staff and family members.

KWISA identified lack of cultural awareness in current child protection approaches, with potential prosecution where there is no risk.

Short

Female genital mutilation should always be seen as a cause of significant harm and also seen in the context of GIRFEC or local inter agency child or adult protection procedures

Local procedures, guidelines and communication strategies should be in place to ensure a coordinated response from all agencies and highlight the issue for all staff that may come into contact with women and children who may be at risk from or affected by female genital mutilation in partnership with parents/carers where appropriate

CPP, IJBs and Social Work Scotland, Scottish Child Protection Committee Scotland and Adult Support and Protection Committee ( ASPC) conveners

Multi-Agency Guidance due for publication in 2017 will help to inform responses by setting out good practice.

The National Adult Protection Coordinator ( NAPC), Adult Protection Committee Conveners and Lead Officers/Coordinators have expressed their support for the FGM agenda and their understanding of the potential cross over between the two agendas whilst recognising that victims of FGM may not necessarily be adults at risk of harm in terms of the Adult Support & Protection (Scotland) Act. On this basis they have provided suggestions and comments on the action plan from a multi-agency and public protection perspective for consideration in the next stage of the work. The NAPC will continue to liaise between the FGM Policy team, Adult Protection Conveners and Lead Officers/Coordinators. The NAPC will also seek the views of the national adult protection learning and development network in relation to the developing training agenda.

Those who seek to or carry out FGM are identified early and held to account by the criminal justice system

Medium

Ensure legislation to address FGM in Scotland is fit for purpose

Scottish Government to continue to engage with potentially affected communities and other relevant stakeholders to consider the impact of any further legislation

Scottish Government, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ( COPFS), statutory organisations, third sector organisations, Police Scotland

Scottish Government funded a community based consultation on FGM provisions in the Serious Crime Act 2015. Officials evaluated findings and submitted recommendations to Scottish Ministers.

Short/Medium

Scottish Government to liaise with UK Government to ensure efficacy of existing legislation

Scottish Government, COPFS

SG Officials maintain ongoing contact with Home Office Officials on all FGM related matters.

Short/Medium

Assess the numbers being prosecuted for performing, aiding and abetting FGM following investigations by Police Scotland

COPFS, Police Scotland

Police Scotland maintains a register of all referrals made to them where there are concerns about FGM.

Long

Consider the existing legislation in relation to elongation and other practices and cosmetic genital piercings

Scottish Government, Police Scotland, COPFS, and other relevant statutory agencies

Advice has been sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities offering advice as to the timing and scope of any additional potential legislation on FGM and Harmful Traditional Practices.

Medium

Develop policy, procedure and learning from investigations to ensure consistent police standards are applied across Scotland

Establish an effective mechanism to review investigations and ensure adherence to national standards for prevention FGM and management of FGM survivors

Police Scotland

Police Scotland is developing OLD (organisational learning and development) to share best practices and also sharing challenges and how to overcome them in complex investigations. Sharing of learning from FGM cases will be included in any future collation.

Medium

Establish a nationally accessible platform for Police Scotland to identify good practice and learning outcomes from previous investigations

Police Scotland

Police Scotland is developing OLD (organisational learning and development) to share best practices and also sharing challenges and how to overcome them in complex investigations. Sharing of learning from FGM cases will be included in any future collation.

Medium

Develop and implement a communication and engagement plan in order to facilitate partner engagement and support for the delivery of national Child Protection processes

Statutory and third sector organisations

To be taken forward under implementation.

Medium

Through thorough investigations and development of FGM intelligence strategy identify and detect perpetrators

Work with statutory and third sector partners to agree thresholds for exchanging personal information, initiating investigations, ownership, and deployment of Police Scotland Public Protection Unit resources

Police Scotland

Communication and partnership engagement is covered in the multi-agency guidance, through risk assessment, Inter Agency Discussions and case conference.

Medium

Monitor impact of gender-based hate crime taking care not to stigmatise individual communities

Police Scotland

To be taken forward under implementation.