In the UK

Girls are most often mutilated between the ages of 5 and 10, although some are operated on before their first birthday, in adolescence. or, rarely, in adulthood. Children are often taken to their country of origin for the procedure, where there is less chance of being detected. Most European countries have laws in place that allow parents to be charged even if the operation is performed outside the country of residence.

Legislation and regulations:

The Female Circumcision Act was proclaimed in 1985; it was the first legislation of its type in Europe. Its coverage was expanded in the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2003 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in the Female Genital Mutilation Act (Scotland) in 2005. All types of FGM are prohibited by these laws,

The latter laws included provision to criminalize mutilation that is performed outside of the UK and Scotland on a girl who is a UK national or permanent resident. They also increased the possible sentence from 5 to 14 years in jail. They state that:

"A person is guilty of an offence if he excises, infibulates or otherwise mutilates the whole or any part of a girl's labia majora, labia minora or clitoris."

The term "girl" in this legislation can refer to females of all ages.

Surgical procedures are allowed by approved persons if "... necessary for her physical or mental health..." However, it stipulates that:

"For the purpose of determining whether an operation is necessary for the mental health of a girl it is immaterial whether she or any other person believes that the operation is required as a matter of custom or ritual."

The law does not specifically mention "re-inffibulation" -- the re-closing of the vagina after childbirth, or piercing or tattooing. The status of cosmetic genital surgery is also not mentioned. This is becoming increasingly popular in the West. It involves procedures whereby the vagina is tightened for greater sexual satisfaction, and/or the labia minora are trimmed for appearance reasons.

Nobody has been tried under these laws as of 2006. However, a physician was removed from the medical register in 1993 for performing FGM while he knew that it was illegal. Another physician was removed for offering to conduct a FGM procedure.

The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Nurses, and the Royal College of Midwifes have issued guidelines prohibiting FGM. The Royal College of Midwifes and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also ban re-infibulation after childbirth. The British Medical Association suggests that medical professionals should explain the health and legal issues involved when they treat a girl who has undergone FGM or may have the procedure done.

There have been some successful UK asylum claims by refugees that were based on the threat of FGM if they were returned to their country of origin. ₁

Prevention of FGM:

The London-based Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD) has as its main goal the eradication of FGM worldwide. They conduced a study involving 70 women from four countries -- Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan-- who lived in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. They found that 85% favored an end to FGM. 78% said they would not allow their daughters to undergo FGM; 21% said that they would; 1.7% were undecided or did not answer. ₁

Other London-based organization active in this field are: Research, Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women (RAINBO), the Black Women's Health and Family Organisation, and Women Living under Muslim Law.

The African Well Woman Clinic in London offers free and confidential de-infibulation surgery.

Help:

The Daily Mail, a British newspaper, suggests that anyone with information about female circumcision in the UK should call Crimestoppers in confidence at 0800 555111, or email david.jones@dailymail.co.uk

References used:

1. Sophie Poldermans, "Combating Female Genital Mutilation in Europe," Page 50, at: www.stopfgm.net/ This is a PDF file. It is a very extensive report on FGM and is well worth reading in its entirety.
2. Jo-Ann Goodwin & David Jones, "How the unspeakable practice of female circumcision is destroying young women's lives in 21st century Britain," Daily Mail, 2007-JAN-03, at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

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Copyright © 2008 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally published: 2008-JAN-03
Last updated on 2008-JAN-03
Author: Bruce A Robinson

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