Legal Duties and Mandatory Reporting

FGM is illegal throughout the UK. It is also an offence to arrange for FGM to be carried out abroad on someone who is habitually resident in the UK. Courts can impose protection orders to help prevent FGM.

In England and Wales, regulated health and social care professionals, including GDC-registered dental nurses, must report known cases of FGM in girls under 18 discovered during their duties. This covers a direct disclosure by the girl or clear signs observed during professional work. Reports are made to the police, usually by calling 101, and should normally be made as soon as possible.

Suspected risk remains a safeguarding concern but is not the same as a known case. If you suspect a child is at risk, follow local safeguarding procedures and escalate to your safeguarding lead, children's social care, the police, or emergency services as appropriate. If the child is in immediate danger, call 999.

• Known FGM in an under-18 in England or Wales: mandatory police report by the relevant professional.
• Suspected risk: make a safeguarding referral or seek advice through local pathways.
• Adult survivor: offer support, consider any children who may be at risk, and apply safeguarding and consent principles.
• Immediate danger: take urgent protective action.

If you are the regulated professional who receives a direct disclosure from a girl under 18 in England or Wales, do not assume someone else will meet your mandatory reporting duty.

Mandatory Reporting Across The UK