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?

[emmie]

now that would be problematic. They would consider this matter one for the respective communities i am sure.

[atalanta]

"Sensible" and "politician" in the same sentence ? Unrealistic !

[emmie]

an oxymoron...

[anotheoldgit]

em10

/// thing is how would you know its going to happen, or has happened, or the family are taking the child out the country, other than for a holiday? ///

I was referring to the 1,700 cases they know about, surely they could follow these up, and go on to prosecute the parents of those children,?

I then believe that they would soon get the message, that we will not accept such barbaric practices in this country.

/// Some 1,700 women and girls were treated by specialist FGM clinics but this masks a bigger problem says the NSPCC. ///

[Nibble]

what is equally awful is that as a result of FGM in other lands, young girls/women then have dreadful problems giving birth, with the result that the baby often dies in utero, the woman develops a fistula between uterus and bladder/bowel so is incontinent, the family then throw her out because she's "disgusting". I have supported the Addis Ababa Fistula hospital, some of the stories from there are absolutely dreadful.

[boxtops]

^ sorry, that was me, not nibble.

[naomi24]

According to the Independent, a report by MPs lays the blame for the lack of prosecutions at the door of political correctness, and I think they’re right.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/political-correctness-resulting-in-female-circumcision-being-ignored-in-uk-say-mps-8656224.html

It has been said that this is a ‘cultural’ practice, but it should be acknowledged that the ‘culture’ in question is, in the main, Islamic. To deny that in the cause of ‘respect’ for religion – or culture - serves only to disguise the problem – and to exacerbate it. The Koran actually forbids any alteration to Allah’s creation, but since circumcision for both men and women is recommended by the Prophet Mohammed, who is deemed beyond criticism, this horrendous practice is not only acceptable in many communities – it is obligatory.

Education is clearly the answer, but educating mindsets that are firmly entrenched in a grossly backward philosophy is no easy task, and certainly a lengthy one, so short of having all girls under the age of about 16 undergo a quick and simple medical examination once a year, I see no immediate answer.

[grasscarp]

I was just on a website where they will be donating money to charity every day throughout July. They were inviting people to suggest charities to put up so people can pick which they want them to donate to. I filled out the form with my suggestion of NSPCC with special regard to this new initiative and pressed enter. Within about 2 minutes they were in touch with me and it was a very personal email and said they will be getting on to NSPCC for permission to put this up. Every little bit of publicity will help I think.

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, very well done!

[grasscarp]

Thank you Naomi. Any initiative is better than none. These poor girls are on my mind a lot.