Early Detection and Referral

1. Professional Training and Cultural Sensitivity 

In order to identify and assist individuals impacted by traditional HPs, professionals entrusted with this responsibility use a diverse approach. First and foremost, thorough training programs are essential for giving law enforcement officers, social workers and medical professionals the knowledge and abilities to identify symptoms and indicators connected to these kinds of abuses. Cultural sensitivity should be covered in this course, helping workers negotiate different traditions without reinforcing preconceptions. Working together across several industries is essential to a comprehensive detection approach. To establish a network of support and information sharing, health professionals should collaborate with community leaders, non-governmental organisations and educators. Community awareness programs are essential for creating a secure space in which victims feel comfortable sharing their stories.

2. Psychological and Medical Assessment 

Psychological evaluations and medical exams are essential parts of the detection procedure. Healthcare practitioners need to be skilled in both assessing the psychological effects of these practices on victims as well as recognizing physical injuries such scars or mutilations. Anonymous web forums and hotlines are examples of confidential reporting systems that can motivate people to come forward without worrying about retaliation. Professionals should work with law enforcement agencies and be knowledgeable about pertinent legislation to make sure that offenders receive the proper punishment.

In general, identifying those who have been harmed by traditional HPs requires a thorough and cooperative strategy that incorporates professional training, community involvement, medical assessment, psychiatric support and legal intervention in addition to cultural knowledge (Zero Tolerance, n.d.).

3. Detection and Referral in School Settings 

According to the National FGM Centre (2019), in the educational context, the identification of cases of FGM can occur in two circumstances: by visual identification or direct disclosure. In the first case, when an educator in a pre-school, pre-primary or primary school context is helping a child to go to the toilet, and may come across physical signs that traditional HPs such as FGM have occurred. Following recommendations from the National FGM Centre (2019), in these cases, under no circumstances may a third party examine the girl.

The second way in which cases are identified is when a girl under the age of 18 confides to an educator that she has been a victim of a situation of HP. Other case detection situations occur when (1) a parent or carer indicates intentions of FGM, forced marriage, or honour-related violence perpetuated by culture, (2) there is a previously identified case of a sister or cousin who has already suffered the same type of intervention or (3) a relative or close friend of the pupil confides that she has been a victim or is at risk of being a victim (National FGM Centre, 2019).

The National FGM Centre (2019) has identified additional risk indicators, such as a girl confiding that she is worried about a holiday or a ceremony, a girl showing pain or discomfort upon returning from holiday, or skipping school, and a girl not returning from holiday in a country with a high prevalence of FGM. Moreover, it is recommendable to involve parents in the planning and implementation of FGM sessions, inviting them to be part of the process, discuss what will be taught, answer any concerns and support parents in managing conversations with their children on the topic (National FGM Centre, 2019).