The Day I Will Never Forget

This script contains details of support and campaigning organisations for the health, social welfare and human rights issues raised in the programme The Day I Will Never Forget.

Female genital mutliation can be a traumatic and painful experience, and there are often serious health implications. Aside from the immediate consequences such as shock and haemorrhaging, there can be long-term complications including incontinence and infertility.

For women who have experienced genital mutilation, or are worried about the health of someone who has, contact a doctor at a health centre or medical practice. Or you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 (24 hours a day).

ACCM , The Agency for Culture and Change Management, are a campaigning and support organisation committed to raising awareness of health issues affecting African women. Projects include the African Well Woman Clinic which promotes women's health, and in particular, health concerns associated with female genital mutilation. If you want to contact ACCM call them on 0114 275 0193 (office hours). If you would like to contact the African Well Woman Clinic, call them on 0114 271 8865.

Black Women's Health and Family Support provide information, support and counselling to women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM). They are committed to the eradication of FGM through campaigning, research and community involvment work. Based in London, they offer help to women across the UK. For more information call 020 8980 3503 (office hours) or e-mail them at bwhafs@btconnect.com.

FORWARD (The Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) offer advice and information on female genital mutilation. They also offer support and counselling to African women and children who have been affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) or are at risk of FGM. Contact them on 020 7725 2606 or visit their website at www.forwarduk.org.uk.

Southall Black Sisters is a resource centre which gives advice, information and support to Asian, African and African Caribbean women on a range of issues. They are also involved in campaigning for rights of black women. Call them on 020 8571 9595 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-4pm except Wednesdays).

Female circumcision, or FGM is illegal in the UK. Quite soon, it will also be illegal to take a child out of the UK in order to perform the operation.

If you are concerned about a child at risk of any kind of abuse, the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline is there for anyone to call, including children themselves. Call freephone 0808 800 5000 (24 hours a day) for counselling, information and advice. The NSPCC also run an Asian Child Protection Helpline, where callers can discuss their concerns to specialist Asian child protection officers on 0800 096 7719 (Mondays to Fridays 11am-7pm). This service is in English, but there are also Helpline numbers for speakers of five Asian languages (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu).

If you are feeling distressed and want to speak to someone now, contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. Samaritans provide confidential, emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For anyone interested in finding out about organisations which campaign against female genital mutilation.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 2 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) every year. Their work involves advocacy, research and training in order to speed the elimination of all forms of female circumcision. More information can be found from their website at www.who.int/en.

FORWARD (The Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) seeks to eliminate female genital mutilation through education, support and advocacy. Contact them on 020 7725 2606 (office hours) or visit their website at www.forwarduk.org.uk.

UNICEF, the United Nation's Children's Fund, is committed to eliminating all forms of FGM. Their work focuses on building a protective environment for children that safeguards them from abuse and exploitation. For more information about their campaigns and how to get involved, visit their website at www.unicef.org.uk. You can also e-mail them at campaigns@unicef.org.uk, or call 020 7405 5592 (office hours).

RAINBO, the Research Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women, is a not for profit organisation which promotes and protects African women's and girl's, health and human rights. They explore means of preventing female circumcision, FGM or other forms of gender based violence. For more information go to their website at www.rainbo.org.

Stop FGM is an international campaign committed to the eradication of female genital mutilation. Visit their website at www.stopfgm.org to find information on latest events and political commitments.

For more information on women's human rights, contact Womankind Worldwide. They are a UK based charity dedicated to women's development and women's human rights globally. Visit their website at www.womankind.org.uk. Alternatively you can call 020 7549 5700 (office hours).

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