REPLACE 2 Project updates: 8th July 2015

Recent developments in the reporting FGM:

All GP practices in England have been sent a 'female genital mutilation pack’. The pack includes a DVD developed by Health Education England to raise awareness of FGM, Guidance for professionals on FGM risk and safeguarding published by the Department of Health (March 2015), copies of the Patient Information Leaflet (information about service, help and support), copies of ‘A statement opposing female genital mutilation, also known as the FGM health passport (Something that can be taken with a person abroad to show family members, that makes clear FGM is a serious criminal offence in the UK), and an implementation summary about an FGM enhanced dataset as all GP practices will be required to submit information from October this year when treating patients who have FGM.

Disseminating the findings from the REPLACE 2 project:

The findings from the exploratory research at the beginning of the project have been analysed and written into an academic paper that has recently been submitted to a peer review journal. The paper discussed how the practice of FGM is driven by belief systems structured around religion, sexuality, decency, marriage and socialisation. These beliefs are enforced through social sanctions and immigrants regular connection with the home countries. The key actors that perpetuate FGM in the migrant communities are elderly people, parents, and maternal grandmothers.  A short summary of some of the main findings, specifically, perceptions about consequences of FGM, Decision making on FGM and access to FGM related health and social services among migrant communities in the EU, can be found in the most recent newsletter HERE!

REPACE 2 toolkit and community handbook development:

One of the main outputs of the REPLACE 2 project is the REPLACE Toolkit. The team is currently in the process of updating the previous REPACE toolkit to incorporate the new learning and to reflect the developed framework/ approach. The team will also be developing a supplementary community handbook, focussed more on the practical elements of applying the REPLACE approach and that should act as a step by step guide to implementing the approach in new communities.