On Tuesday 20th October 2015, the Government announced the start date for mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM), as well as published guidance to help professionals get ready for their new duty.
As from 31st October onwards, regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales will have mandatory requirement to report visually confirmed or verbally disclosed cases of FGM in girls under 18 to the police.
Karen Bradley, Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation said, ““FGM is a crime and it is child abuse, and this Government will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. The duty is an important step forward in tackling this practice, and we believe that it will make sure professionals have the confidence to confront FGM.”
