Is FGM banned in the UK?
Female genital mutilation ( FGM ), sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’, is illegal in the UK. It’s also illegal to take abroad a British national or permanent resident for FGM , or to help someone trying to do this.
When was FGM illegal in UK?
FGM has been a specific offence since the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 came into force in September 1985. The Act applied to the whole of the UK. It was replaced by the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 which came into force in March 2004. This was further amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015.
What legislation covers FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
The Legal Framework. FGM offences are set out in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”), as amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015.
Is male circumcision legal UK?
It is generally held that male circumcision is legal in the UK provided that there is valid consent and that the procedure is performed by someone who is “competent”.
Has anyone been prosecuted for FGM in the UK?
First prosecutions As of 2015 there have been no convictions in the UK for performing or arranging FGM. By contrast, in France over 100 parents and two practitioners had been prosecuted by 2014 in over 40 criminal cases.
Is female circumcision legal in UK?
FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It’s illegal in the UK and is child abuse. It’s very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.
Who do you inform about FGM?
If you are concerned that a girl may be at risk of FGM, you should follow local safeguarding procedures. Where there is a risk to life or likelihood of serious immediate harm, professionals should report the case immediately to police, including dialling 999 if appropriate.
Can I get my baby circumcised UK?
Newborn circumcisions are mainly performed for cultural or religious reasons and it is a relatively rare procedure in the UK. If you’re considering having your son circumcised then it is important to discuss the procedure with an experienced doctor so that you can make the right choices about his care.
Is FGM common in UK?
FGM is also found in the UK amongst members of migrant communities. It is estimated that approximately 60,000 girls aged 0-14 were born in England and Wales to mothers who had undergone FGM1. UK communities that are most at risk of FGM include Kenyan, Somali, Sudanese, Sierra Leonean, Egyptian, Nigerian and Eritrean.
Why is FGM illegal in UK?
Is it mandatory to report FGM?
It is a mandatory duty for a regulated healthcare professional to report any concerns they have about a female under 18 years and record when FGM is disclosed or identified as part of NHS healthcare. As FGM is illegal this should be reported to the Police via the 101 non-emergency number.
What is mandatory reporting of FGM?
A mandatory reporting duty for FGM requires regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM in under 18-year-olds to the police. This document gives relevant professionals and the police information on the mandatory reporting duty.
When did FGM become illegal in the UK?
FGM has been illegal in the United Kingdom since 1985 but the law was strengthened with the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 by making it a criminal offence for UK nationals to perform or arrange FGM overseas.
Who is a protected person under the FGM act?
FGM offences are set out in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”), as amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015. The term “girl” includes “woman”: section 6 (1). a British protected person within the meaning of that Act: section 6 (2). A United Kingdom resident is defined as “an individual who is habitually resident in the UK”.
What are the charges under the FGM Act 2003?
There are four FGM offences under the 2003 Act: assisting a non-UK person to mutilate a girl’s genitals overseas: section 3; and failing to protect a girl from the risk of FGM: section 3A. It is a criminal offence to “excise, infibulate or otherwise mutilate” the whole or any part of a girl’s labia majora, labia minora or clitoris: section 1 (1).
Is it a criminal offence to help someone with FGM?
Helping or encouraging FGM in any way is a criminal offence which you can report to the police. You can also apply to the civil courts to protect yourself or someone you know from being subjected to FGM.