VICTIMS of female genital mutilation will receive improved support through a new wide-ranging service described as a 'lifeline' in combating the barbaric crime.

Run by two charities, the Guardian Project works five days a week to provide a raft of free services all aimed at helping professionals better identify where the practice – known as cutting – is happening, protecting those at risk of falling victim and co-ordinating and standardising care for victims.

The Guardian Project's Peggy Mulongo said: “The project is a perfect example of successful partnership working.

"It brings together expertise and knowledge of two specialist FGM organisations to address the prevailing gap in standardised and co-ordinated care and support for girls and young women under the age of 21 affected by, or at risk of, FGM in Greater Manchester.

"This is an initiative which has been so much in demand by professionals, and we are happy to demonstrate the power of collaborative work which challenges duplication of services."

More than 100 girls and young women who have undergone the illegal circumcision were seen by health services in Greater Manchester in the past year and a further 670 cases were identified by local health professionals.

The Guardian Project, provided jointly by New Step for African Community (NESTAC) and Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA), was unveiled alongside other initiatives at a regional conference held today, Thursday, to explore the issues of female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based abuse.

The Greater Manchester Female Genital Mutilation strategy was launched at the event to co-ordinate regional efforts in the fight against the custom.

Greater Manchester's police and crime commissioner and interim mayor Tony Lloyd said: “Female genital mutilation is child abuse and it is happening right here on our doorstep.

"We cannot stand by while our children are subjected to this illegal, life-threatening practice that has a devastating physical and emotional impact on its victims.

“In Greater Manchester we have already taken steps to start tackling the issue by educating frontline staff and raising public awareness.

"But we also need to ensure that women and girls can get help and support from people who understand what they are going through.

"Thanks to the Guardian Project, teachers, healthcare workers and social care professionals now have access to that expert advice.

"This project is a lifeline to victims of this barbaric crime.”

You can contact the Guardian Project on 07449 651677, via e-mailing at guardian.project@outlook.com or via the Twitter handle @guardianprojuk.