Director of Public Prosecutions Action Plan to stop Female Genital Mutilation

Valerie supports Director of Public Prosecutions Action Plan to stop Female Genital Mutilation

On 5 November 2013, Valerie Vaz MP tabled an Early Day Motion on Female Genital Mutilation which supported the 10 point plan put forward by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer. The action points recommend that to tackle FGM more data must be gathered on previous cases to identify those at risk and where difficulties lie in securing prosecutions.

Valerie said:

“I am working to raise awareness on this issue and push for stronger action to ensure that the crime of female gential mutilation (FGM) is prevented. Following a roundtable discussion with a wide range of people and organisations, Mr Starmer has put together recommendations which would help the police, schools and health and social care professionals to adequately identify and stop FGM.”

“I have tabled an Early Day Motion which calls for examination of the reporting duties of medical professionals and teachers in referring possible FGM cases. It is important that the confidentiality in these professions is not compromised with their reporting duties. The Government should embark on a campaign to raise awareness of FGM to recognize it as a form of abuse. The young girls subjected to FGM do not have a choice as to whether they want it or not.”

Valerie’s EDM on Female Genital Mutilation (2):

That this House expresses concern that there is a need for stronger action to prevent the crime of female genital mutilation (FGM); notes the report by a coalition of health professionals calling for FGM to be treated as child abuse; further notes the action plan on tackling FGM published by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer; calls for implementation of the recommendation in the report and action plan that evidence of FGM in the family should be collected and used to identify persons who may be at risk of FGM; further calls for examination of the reporting duties for medical professionals and teachers in referring possible FGM cases to the police; and further calls on the Government to formulate a strategy to raise awareness of this issue.