Aneeta Prem
The author’s name is spelled Aneeta Prem. Aneeta is pronounced ‘uh-NEE-tuh’. Use MBE where a formal credit requires the honour; do not alter or abbreviate the surname.
Language with purpose
Words should clarify harm, not stereotype people.
A concise guide for readers, teachers, health and safeguarding professionals, journalists, librarians and international partners.
FGM/C
Female genital mutilation or cutting. This site writes the words in full first, then uses FGM/C. It does not use ‘female circumcision’, which can obscure the nature and seriousness of the harm.
Bodily autonomy
A person’s right to make informed decisions about their own body, free from violence, coercion or discrimination.
Dishonour abuse
This site uses dishonour abuse to reject the suggestion that abuse contains honour. UK official sources may use ‘so-called honour-based abuse’; the terms should remain searchable without dignifying the abuse.
Survivor and victim
Use the term a person chooses for themselves. Do not define someone only by what was done to them or suggest that every affected person has the same experience.
Care without stereotypes
FGM/C occurs across countries and communities. Do not ask a child or adult to represent a faith, nationality or culture, and do not treat abuse as inevitable within any group.