FGM protection orders proposed to stop at-risk girls being taken abroad

Special protection orders could be introduced in a bid to prevent women and girls at risk of female general mutilation from being taken abroad.

With 2,750 girls born in Scotland between 2001 and 2012 whose mothers come from countries where FGM is practiced, the Scottish Government is currently considering what steps could be taken to help end the “abhorrent” act.

It is looking at introducing FGM protection orders which could be used to help prevent females classed as being at risk being taken overseas.

This could involve those who might travel with them having to surrender their passports.

FGM has been a criminal offence across the UK since 1985, with Holyrood introducing tougher sentences in 2005 which raised the maximum jail term for those carrying it out from five to 14 years.

But with some women and girls taken abroad for the procedure, ministers are looking at what more can be done.

Equalities minister Christina McKelvie has published a consultation paper on legislation to strengthen the protections available.

She said: “As a Government, we consider FGM to be an abhorrent practice, a form of abuse and a violation of the human rights of women and girls that is rightly illegal.

“We want to strengthen protections further and introduce protection orders for women and girls at risk, and place guidance for professionals on a statutory footing.

“This consultation seeks the views of stakeholders and all those with an interest in ending this form of gender-based violence on those aims.”