Virtual College launches new course to raise awareness of FGM
Virtual College has launched a new course on female genital mutilation (FGM). The course is designed to raise awareness among members of the public and frontline community workers — including taxi drivers, hospitality staff, retail workers, and volunteers — who may encounter individuals at risk of or affected by FGM. It covers the origins and types of FGM, how to recognise warning signs, and appropriate ways to support victims or those at risk.
Online compliance training provider Virtual College have launched a new course on FGM, building on their previous relationship running a course with the Home Office.
Jamie Ashforth, Director of Business and Strategy at Virtual College, explains the importance of having courses like these available and why FGM is a topic that people need to be educated on.
Online compliance training provider Virtual College has just launched a new, free course on FGM, building on their previous course that was run in collaboration with the Home Office.
The course is aimed towards members of the public who may become aware of a person at risk of, or who has experienced FGM, as well as those with regular community contact who may overhear conversations that raise concerns, such as taxi drivers, retail and hospitality workers, and community volunteers. With a goal of raising awareness of FGM and its implications, the course covers topics including:
- The origins and motives of FGM
- How to differentiate between different types of FGM
- Explain how to help those who are at risk of or who may have experienced FGM, and what to avoid doing
Virtual College is also launching a paid version of the course as part of their safeguarding suite, for those working in sectors where they would be likely to receive disclosures about FGM or may encounter FGM in young people and communities they work closely with.
Jamie Ashforth, Director of Business and Strategy at Virtual College, had this to say on the course launch:
“FGM is an incredibly sensitive topic that leaves many uncomfortable discussing it, but it’s this discomfort that makes courses like these so vital to our communities. Our previous course on the practice has been completed by more than 370,000 learners since 2020, so we knew we had to keep providing educational materials on the subject to make sure that awareness stayed high. It’s a practice that can cause serious harm in both the immediate and long term, with lasting effects on the physical and mental health of the victims, which is why the importance of identifying potential victims early can’t be overstated.
“Over 41,000 women have been identified by the NHS of having experienced FGM over the past ten years, with an estimated 137,000 women and girls currently living with the consequences of FGM in the UK, making it clear that it’s far from being a dead practice. Stats like these emphasise why we need to keep conversations surrounding FGM active, and keep educating people on how to recognise the signs that someone may be vulnerable to it.”
“This course has been put together following the latest government guidance, and we hope that those who complete it will feel more comfortable approaching the topic in the future. Proper safeguarding training is essential for any workplace that may deal with those in potentially vulnerable situations, and maintaining a complete and thorough knowledge of terms and protocols could end up saving someone’s life.”