Britain’s failure to tackle female genital mutilation a ‘national disgrace’: lawmakers

By Tom Gardner LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The failure of British authorities to bring one successful prosecution for female genital mutilation in more than 30 years is a “national scandal”, lawmakers said on Thursday calling for greater action against professionals not reporting the practice. Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been a criminal offence in Britain since 1985 and new legislation in 2003 introduced a jail term of up to 14 years for British citizens carrying out FGM abroad, even in countries where it is legal. Last year the government made it compulsory for teachers, social workers, doctors, nurses and midwives to report FGM with campaigners fearing many cases are going unnoticed because they happen at a young age and abroad.
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