Female Genital Mutilation in the UK Population
| Published date | 01 April 2016 |
| Author | Kate Cook |
| Date | 01 April 2016 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0022018316639092 |
| Subject Matter | Comment |
Comment
Female Genital Mutilation
in the UK Population:
A Serious Crime
Kate Cook
Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Sandra Burslem Building, Manchester, UK
Abstract
This article considers the definition of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the context of United
Nations work which aims to end this practice. The piece focuses on the prevalence of FGM in
the UK and on legal provisions outlawing cutting in England and Wales. It argues that FGM is
now relatively commonplace in the UK and ends with a call for greater public education about
FGM and better support for survivors of mutilation. The article begins by looking at interna-
tional ideas about FGM, drawing on knowledge from UNICEF and considering the realities of
the practices carried out on young girls. It is acknowledged that there is a risk of alienating
traditions that value cutting, inherent in the western view of FGM as child abuse. Nevertheless,
the article argues that FGM must be eradicated. A review of information on the prevalence of
FGM in UK populations follows, showing that there are many thousands of women and girl
survivors now resident in Britain. FGM has been a criminal offence in England and Wales since
the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. However this legislation proved impractical
and it has now been replaced by a Female Genital Mutilation Act in 2003 and that, in turn, is
now amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015. An outline of the newer legislations suggests
that there are signs of usefulness within the latest amendments. However the article ends with
some warnings about the risks of criminalisation without appropriate levels of support and
public discussion.
Keywords
Female genital mutilation, female genital cutting, Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, Serious
Crime Act 2015, education to end FGM
Corresponding author:
Kate Cook, Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Sandra Burslem Building, Lower Ormond Street,
Manchester, M15 6HB, UK.
E-mail: k.cook@mmu.ac.uk
The Journal of Criminal Law
2016, Vol. 80(2) 88–96
ªThe Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/0022018316639092
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