Girls in Britain are at risk of being forced to undergo female genital mutilation and professionals need to be alert, a High Court judge says.

Mr Justice Keehan says police, social workers, teachers and medics must be aware of warning signs and know how to help.

The judge, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, has outlined his thoughts in the foreword to a new book about female genital mutilation (FGM) and the law.

Female Genital Mutilation Law and Practice, written by barrister Zimran Samuel, offers guidance to protective measures available.

“The practice of female genital mutilation remains widespread across the globe, especially in parts of North Africa, but a substantial number of mutilations are reported to have been undertaken in this jurisdiction,” says Mr Justice Keehan.

“Accordingly, the risk to girls and young women living in this jurisdiction is not limited to being taken abroad to be subjected to FGM, but includes the risk of having the mutilation performed in this country.

http://www.aol.co.uk/news/2017/05/20/girls-in-uk-at-risk-of-female-genital-mutilation-says-high-cour/

Last week, the Supreme Court issued notices to four ministries on a petition seeking a ban on “female circumcision”. The inhuman practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) — seen in parts of Asia and Africa, including among the 2 million-strong Bohra community in India — is currently in sharp focus worldwide. Days before the Supreme Court action, a hospital in Detroit had sacked a doctor for performing the procedure — not only putting a woman’s health in danger, but also violating her right to her body.

http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/understanding-female-genital-mutilation-the-practice-and-the-issues-fgm-4659216/

Some 28.8 per cent of education staff are concerned they may be perceived as prejudiced or racist should they report concerns regarding honour-based abuse and child abuse linked to faith and belief, it has been reported.

According to the latest survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), it was also revealed that 31 per cent of staff are worried about reporting female genital mutilation (FGM), honour-based abuse or child abuse linked to faith or belief, because they lack confidence in their own judgement.

Nearly a fifth of respondents also worried that reporting these types of child abuse could harm their relationship with the child or young person in question. In addition to this, 14 per cent worried about damaging their relationship with the child’s family.

https://www.virtual-college.co.uk/news/virtual-college/2017/05/reporting-fgm-and-child-abuse-staff-worried-about-being-perceived-as-racist