FEMALE Genital Mutilation will be the key topic at an annual safeguarding conference as organisations across Sandwell come up with the best ways of tackling the issue.

Hosted by NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG, the conference is being held on Thursday (March 8) where female genital mutilation (FGM) professionals from health, social care, police and community groups will be meeting to share best practice and ideas.

Provider organisations which support survivors of FGM will also be attending the event to show what services are available in the borough.

FGM, also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting, is illegal in the UK and is a form of child abuse, which has no health benefits and harms women’s health in many ways.

Marie Kelly, lead for domestic abuse and assistant designated nurse for safeguarding at the CCG, said: “This conference is an ideal opportunity for professionals to increase their expertise and continue to take positive action to help prevent FGM happening to girls in our area.

“We continue to play a leading role in raising awareness of the complications for women’s health issues associated with FGM.

“Key organisations are all working together to put a stop to FGM, and the Sandwell Stopping FGM Forum has launched a joint FGM policy for both safeguarding adults and children. We train professionals, work with community groups that are affected, and campaign to help, safeguard and protect women and girls who have undergone this procedure.

“Last year over 150 members of the Sandwell and West Birmingham community attended a successful health and wellbeing community event which helped to raise awareness of FGM.”