Ministers plan to extend female genital mutilation protection

Plans to strengthen the legislative framework for the protection of women and girls from female genital mutilation (FGM), a form of gender based violence, have been put out to consultation by the Scottish Government.

Ministers have made a commitment to strengthen the existing law and are seeking views on additional provisions including anonymity for victims of FGM; creation of an offence of failure to protect from FGM; and creation of a duty to notify policy of FGM.

The consultation also seeks views on the prevalence of vaginal elongation and breast ironing, and what further steps may be required to tackle these forms of gender based violence.

A planned bill will seek to introduce protection orders for women and girls at risk, and place guidance for professionals on a statutory footing. 

Click here to access the consultation. The deadline for responses is 4 January 2019.