The FGM Clinic offers advice and deinfibulation services for women from any background who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM). We accept statewide referrals for the FGM Clinic and the associated Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP).
Services available
The FGM Clinic is a nurse/midwife-led clinic available to all women in Victoria who have experienced FGM. Our services:
- Comprehensive discussion on FGM
- Information and advice around FGM
- Deinfibulation procedures in outpatient setting
- Patient and clinician support from FARREP cultural workers
- Secondary phone consultations to health professionals on health matters that are concerning a woman who has experienced FGM
When asking women if they have experienced FGM, language is very important. FGM can be an offensive term to use with women who have experienced FGM. You could say, “I see you were born in a country that practises traditional cutting/female circumcision, have you experienced traditional cutting/circumcision?”
FGM is also practised in the Middle East and Asia. In Indonesia, FGM is legal and has a very high prevalence.
Inclusion criteria
Any of the following:
- Pregnant and non-pregnant women who have experienced FGM
- Women who have any health complications or difficulties with their care due to their FGM (e.g. undertaking a CST)
The FGM Clinic is a statewide service (Victoria).
Urgent referral
If the patient is pregnant, please mark your referral urgent and include EDC.
Referral instructions
Essential information
Clinician referrals must include essential demographic, medical and social history details, and relevant information about the presenting complaint.
In detail: Women's health referrals
Send referral
All health professionals across Victoria can refer directly to the FGM Clinic via Fast Fax: (03) 8345 3036.
Use our Women’s Health Referral Form – jump to Referral templates (Downloads).
In detail: How referrals are processed
Patient self-referral
Women can self-refer to the FGM Clinic by contacting our FARREP team on (03) 8345 3058.
Appointments
After referral, a hospital FARREP worker will phone the patient and provide appointment information.
Clinics are held on Fridays with face-to-face appointments only.
The FARREP service is available Monday to Friday.
Related information
- Referral forms and information
- Family & Reproductive Rights Education Program
- Female Genital Mutilation Cutting - Guideline for Care (PDF) The Women's clinical guideline
- Starting conversations about female circumcision Animated video created by cohealth.
- Sexual Health Victoria, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Resources
- Find health information for your patient
Downloads and Related Topics
Date reviewed: 17 January 2025
Date reviewed: 17 January 2025