Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a secret pain that many women carry with them. It is the practice of deliberately cutting, injuring, or changing a female’s genitals. It’s also known as cutting, and there are other names for it such as sunna, gudniin, bondo, halalays, khatana, tahur, megrez and khitan. FGM is usually carried out on young girls, between infancy and age 15 for cultural, religious and social reasons, as a preparation for marriage or to preserve virginity.
There is no benefit to FGM and women who survive cutting are often left with long-lasting health problems. The scars are not just physical. Many women experience emotional problems too – anxiety, flashbacks, fear for themselves or their daughters. The first step towards recovery is talking. The Blossom Clinic is a safe, supportive environment where women can ask for help in confidence and get the treatment and support they need.
Effects of cutting:
• Feeling fear
• Difficulty urinating
• Painful memories
• Flashbacks
• Vaginal infection
• Constant pain
• Painful periods
• Difficulty having sex
• Anxiety and depression
• Lack of confidence
The Blossom Clinic is where the healing begins. We’re here to help non-pregnant women who may be suffering the effects of FGM. You can talk to one of our specialist community advisors one-to-one, in complete confidence and without judgement. The Blossom Clinic is a safe space where you can get medical treatment, as well as the support you need to understand what’s happened to you and regain your confidence. If you can talk about it, you can get through it.
How we can help
• A safe space
• Complete confidentiality
• Assessment and treatment of physical symptoms
• One-to-one initial support session
• Up to six sessions of follow-on support
• Help accessing other services
• Emotional and practical help
• Rebuilding confidence
• Other languages spoken
Meet the team
Andrea Taylor
Specialist FGM Midwife
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Nicole Ackie
Specialist FGM Midwife
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Hawa Bah
Advocate
Blossom Clinic
Clinic day
Tuesday 10am-6pm
Advocacy support
Monday 9am-5pm
Tuesday 10am-6pm
Wednesday 10am-3pm
Get in touch
You can contact the clinic directly yourself, or a healthcare professional can refer you with your permission. Speak to Hawa, our Advocate, and book an appointment using the numbers below, or visit the Blossom Clinic website.
Phone: 07824 580988 or 0113 271 8277
Website: touchstonesupport.org.uk/fgm
For more information
Email: [email protected]
NHS FGM Support: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/female-genitalmutilation-fgm/national-fgm-support-clinics