The right way
From a London Assembly press release:
Recommendations include:
• The Mayor must take a visible lead in tackling FGM. The delivery of the Police and Crime Plan must demonstrate this commitment and drive a multi-agency response to FGM.
• A pan-London campaign to raise awareness of the real dangers of FGM, signposting women and girls to the support they require.
• Communities affected by FGM should be engaged to raise awareness, strengthen community-based prevention work and provide training for professionals.
• The Mayor must support the provision of bespoke training for London’s frontline practitioners.
• Support should be given to the police, health, social care and education services, voluntary organisations and communities.
The wrong way
From Sky News:
Mandatory checks are already law in France, which has had far greater success prosecuting FGM cases. Although it has been illegal in the UK since 1987, there have been no successful prosecutions.
Ms Parker said: "All these measures to combat this despicable crime are already law in France, a country that has a far, far better record than us on FGM. Not only have they proven effective both in protecting girls in France from FGM, they also help provide essential evidence to mount prosecutions where FGM has taken place. It is time the United Kingdom caught up."
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