Watch Over Me

'CUT' - Some Wounds Never Heal is a film for schools aimed at raising awareness of the growing problem of female genital mutilation (FGM) or 'cutting' as it's sometimes known in the UK. Parents who come to the UK from areas of the world where FGM is practiced still believe that their female children should be cut to prove they are clean and pure for marriage. More than 6000 children in London alone are taken abroad in the summer holidays to be cut and country wide the figure is around 22,000. The girls can range in age from around 5 to 7 years old to about 14.

Kids Taskforce has made an investigative film about cutting in response to a request from the Metropolitan Police and the Foreign Office. They have been contacted by many schools asking for information and support on the issue as teachers are dealing with pupils who are suffering severe  physical and psychological problems as a result of being cut.  The police want to work with communities where this is practised to help spread understanding about the damaging long term health effects of the practice and to support those members of the community who believe this practice needs to stop. Legally in the UK it is categorized as a severe form of child abuse, attracting long prison sentences on conviction.  'CUT' was made by a group of teenage girls from a South London school. They acted as impartial reporters: accordingly, the views expressed in the film are those of the contributors, and not of the reporting team. 'CUT' runs at 13'30".

To view or download 'CUT' please click here