Increase in FGM victims seen by NHS services across region

More female genital mutilation victims were seen by NHS services in West Yorkshire this year, new figures show.

- by Harriet Sutton

FGM is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, with no medical reason for this to be done.

Often inflicted on girls under 15, it is considered child abuse and is illegal in the UK.

A charity campaigning against FGM and other forms of violence against women and girls warned many of these victims are only identified during pregnancy, and called for efforts to spot victims earlier to better support them.

NHS England figures show around 65 patients with FGM injuries were seen by healthcare providers in the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board area between January and March this year.

It was up from about 55 over the same period a year earlier.

Of them, about 35 were new patients, meaning they had their injuries recorded by NHS services for the first time.