Legal News

The London Assembly has urged London mayor Sadiq Khan to tackle the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the capital.

Figures show that 50% of all cases of FGM recorded in England are in London – with 65,000 girls under the age of 13 at risk of the procedure in the UK. It is estimated that 170,000 women and girls are living with female genital mutilation in the UK today.

The London boroughs of Brent, Harrow, Ealing, Southwark, Enfield, Lambeth, Camden and Hillingdon were among the 12 local authorities nationally with the highest recorded incidences of FGM between April 2015 and March 2016.

A report published by the London Assembly – Tackling Female Genital Mutilation in London – makes recommendations for the London Mayor to support frontline professionals with a responsibility for tackling FGM so that they work together to make London a “zero cutting city”.

The report follows a conference held by the London Assembly, which brought together practitioners from the health, social care and education sectors with the police.

The report finds that many frontline professionals are unsure of how to respond to the issue of FGM – and greater co-ordination at a regional level is needed, with community groups being key to safeguarding women and girls.

Recommendations include that the London Mayor take a visible lead in tackling FGM – and the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan must demonstrate this commitment and drive a multi-agency response to FGM.

There must also be a pan-London campaign to raise awareness of the real dangers of FGM, signposting women and girls to the support they require.

Communities affected by FGM should be engaged to raise awareness, strengthen community-based prevention work – and provide training for professionals.

The London Mayor must also support the provision of bespoke training for London’s frontline practitioners – support should be given to the police, health, social care and education services, voluntary organisations and communities.

Deputy Chair of the London Assembly, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, said:

“Female genital mutilation is a crime – it is a form of violence against women and girls that violates their basic human rights. It has very serious, immediate and long-term consequences, both physically and emotionally – there are no medical or health reasons for anyone to be subjected to FGM.

“Though we are now talking more openly about FGM and how we can work together to end it, it is evident that more needs to be done. It remains a hidden crime, still taking place behind closed doors, with many girls still at risk.

“The Mayor has said that tackling FGM is an important part of his mayoralty and a practice that he will not tolerate. The London Assembly now calls on the Mayor to take the next steps to eradicate this practice from our city.”

FGM survivor, campaigner and author, Hibo Wardere, added:

“This report is exactly what’s needed to go from talking about FGM, to doing something about it.

“Those working in schools, in the health profession and in social care are in a prime position to identify survivors and women and girls who are at risk – it’s vital they know how to respond.

“As an FGM survivor and someone who has been campaigning against the practice for many years, I’m proud to have influenced the Assembly’s work in this area and I fully support the recommendations made.”

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