How Can We Let This Happen.

[chrisgel]

In a modern Western democracy just how are these things allowed to happen and what more can we do to prevent it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23001119

The legislation to criminalise this has been in place for 27 years and there have only been 3 prosecutions in all that time. All of these prosecutions failed.

With an estimated 24,000 girls below the age of 15 considered to be at risk, isn't it about time we found a way to tackle this problem?

[boxtops]

The report on the news last night said that really there is no overall idea as to how big this problem is in the UK, since several specialist clinics didn't return any data to the recent survey.

[chrisgel]

According to the Home Office website it is estimated that up to 24,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK and between 100m to 140m girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences.

From here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/nov/13/female-genital-mutilation-prosection-uk

[emmie]

it's down to the governments and respective agencies to sort this, it's a vile practice and those who are guilty of it, either the parents who agree to it or the practitioners should be prosecuted with the full force of the law.

[emmie]

the big problem also comes when they whisk the girl out of the country to have it done, or indeed if there is a problem after it's done here. The girls are unlikely to say anything if they think the parents will be in trouble, mores the pity, if they are very young they won't be able to go to the police anyway.

[chrisgel]

Agreed Em10, but with just 3 attempted prosecutions in 27 years it looks like the full force of the law is not enough.
The government and police seem to be fond of setting up "task forces" so maybe one should be set up for this.
Identifying potential victims in schools etc. could be a start.

[mushroom25]

on the one hand, it's illegal.

on the other, every government since 1997 has embraced multi-culturalism and dare not interfere with the customs of other cultures. and, this is a cultural practice (regardless of religious persuasion) where those practising it believe an uncircumcised woman cannot hope to marry.

the government needs to decide its attitude to this matter and declare it.

[VHG]

Let people into the country from third world countries and what do you expect.

[emmie]

the police are largely hog tied over this, how do you target potential victims of FGM - what exactly do they look for. Personally i would have a notice in every hospital, doctors surgery, in every town hall, government office, including those in the CAB, written in various languages, the one time this would be pertinent, as the women, girls may not speak the language and list addresses, phone numbers they can contact if at risk, and indeed significant warnings about how it is illegal to do it and the person or persons will be prosecuted and sent to prison.

[emmie]

mushroom, botox to those customs, this should never be allowed, it's vile and beyond comprehension. I read one woman's account of having it done in her homeland, it made for sickening reading, what was worse she was going to inflict the same on her child, no i don't understand that either.

[emmie]

it already does

https://www.gov.uk/female-genital-mutilation

[emmie]

and notices in every school.

[mushroom25]

I read what that says Em, but the fact that there have only been 3 prosecutions, and all unsuccessful, should tell you all you need to know about the government's true attitude.

[chrisgel]

Em10 - I know, but it's obviously not working.

[emmie]

then i don't know what the answer is, if the police can't make a case, what else is there, target girls in every school, but if the parents are in overall care of the child, then they have the say illegal or not of what happens to their child. Its abhorrent and should never happen, but i suspect it does in more cases than one is led to believe.

[anotheoldgit]

Just as when a child is treated for all other wounds inflicted by their parents, then in such cases the social services get involved and the parents are generally convicted and either sent to jail or heavily fined, also the child is generally taken into care, zero tolerance should be observed over such cases, regardless of upsetting some minorities,

[emmie]

but you have to be sure of your case, you can't just barge in and take the child without evidence of wrong doing.

[McMouse]

I was circumcised for cultural rather than health reasons when just a few months old. It's a barbaric custom.

[emmie]

think what it would be like for girls then, when you read the procedure, though there seems variations, it's more than barbaric, many girls are left in debilitating pain for the rest of their lives, especially as they get married and have children, sheer torture.

[grasscarp]

I read the story and see the NSPCC is setting up a helpline from Monday dedicated to helping girls at risk. I hope it is well publicised and leads to more interest in this largely hidden crime against girls. Ultimately those who perform it need to be identified and prosecuted.

[emmie]

sent to prison, even if the wretched parents.