William Eichler 04 October 2016

Rudd 'determined' Government will be first to successfully prosecute for FGM

This Government should be the one to see the 'first successful prosecution for FGM', the home secretary says.

In her speech at a Conservative conference plenary today, Amber Rudd MP talked about this Government's record on tackling Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

She told the audience: 'We have strengthened the law, introduced a new FGM mandatory reporting duty and tougher penalties for perpetrators.'

FGM has been illegal in the UK for around 30 years.

It was first banned under the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985, a law updated in 2004 with the Female Genital Mutilation Act.

The Serious Crime Act 2015 introduced the duty of regulated professionals such as teachers and health professionals to report all known cases of FGM for under 18s to the police.

However, there has never been a successful prosecution of this crime, a fact a recent Home Affairs Committee report described as 'beyond belief'.

'I am determined that this Government should be the one to see the first successful prosecution for FGM, and to see its perpetrators punished,' Ms. Rudd said.

William Eichler debunks some of the myths surrounding FGM, and explores how councils can best identify and support those at risk.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Residential Youth Practitioner

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Move On Service provides intensive supported housing accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 years who are in the care of the local authority, working to create individual plans for those requiring additional support for their transition towards Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Locality and Community Support Worker - North

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Locality & Community Support Service in North Oxfordshire are seeking to recruit a Locality Support Worker to join their Locality & Community Support Team. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic worker who is passionate about improving outc Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner