Signs of hope in FGM horror, claims city MP
A GLASGOW MP has said she is “encouraged” by evidence which shows asylum seekers affected by female genital mutilation do not want their daughters to suffer the same ordeal.
Hilary Alba, a community midwife in Glasgow, said the majority of women she sees who are affected by FGM were horrified by the procedure.
Hilary is required to question mothers because it is illegal in the UK and includes taking children back to the country of origin for the procedure.
Police Scotland say there have been no convictions and described FGM as “one of the most severe forms of child abuse.”
Alison Thewlis, MP for Central Scotland, said the midwife’s experiences were an encouraging sign the damage FGM causes was being recognised.
She said: “The figures brought to our attention by Hilary Alba are absolutely shocking.
“FGM is a difficult and sensitive topic to discuss but we must call it out for what it is – it’s child abuse and it must be eradicated.
“The indication that the women treated by Ms Alba would not inflict this on their daughters is an encouraging sign that the damage FGM causes is increasingly recognised.
“FGM isn’t just something that happens in far flung parts of the world.
“Unfortunately, it now takes place on our own doorstep and we must work together to end this barbaric practice.”
“The zero conviction rate is in large part down to the secretive nature of FGM and the difficulties in identifying the perpetrators of this awful practice.
“The Home Office must bear some responsibility for allowing practitioners of FGM to enter the UK; immigration caseworkers in the Home Office sometimes also underplay the risks for women and girls in being sent back to countries where FGM is carried out.”
FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts.
It is illegal in the UK and carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
While there is evidence that paid ‘cutters’ have travelled to London to carry out the procedure on young girls, senior officers with Police Scotland said there was no evidence to suggest this was happening in Glasgow.
Detective Chief Inspector Rory Hamilton said: “Police Scotland has no information to suggest that so called ‘cutters’ are travelling to Glasgow.
“Officers from Police Scotland work closely with a range of partners to raise awareness, engage with communities and to help protect and support women and girls affected by FGM.
“We will fully investigate any reports made to us and take action against anyone who facilitates FGM to ensure that perpetrators are held to account. Anyone who has been affected or has concerns about someone who may have been affected by FGM is asked to contact police or seek medical assistance.”