“Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and only by working together more effectively can we protect girls from harm” were the words of Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens at a conference on Tuesday (January 27th, 2015).
Tackling Honour-Based Violence, Forced Marriage and FGM was the subject of a national conference, where the PCC was invited to speak about delivering collaborative leadership across statutory agencies to drive forward community-wide engagement.
In her address PCC Ms Mountstevens outlined three key things that collectively she believes need to be worked on. These were recognising and working with local community groups who can speak out about issues that affect them and campaign for change; empowering frontline professionals to join together and build up effective working practices; clear and visible commitment from leaders.
Ms Mountstevens said: “One of the top priorities in my Police and Crime Plan is tackling domestic and sexual abuse, particularly against women and children. So on the issues of honour based violence, forced marriage and in particular FGM, I am using my role to further efforts to tackle these crimes.
“We need to work together; Education, Social Services, Health and the Police, we all have different tools and powers to safeguard our communities and it only by sharing expertise will we be more effective.”
Read more: http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/8203-Female-genital-mutilation-child-abuse-says/story-25936394-detail/story.html#ixzz3QCiBfUsw
