United Kingdom Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003

Abstract:     
It is a criminal offense in the United Kingdom to perform female genital mutilation. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it an offense which carries a penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment on indictment and conviction. There are four ways in which female genital mutilation (‘FGM’) takes place: (i) by cutting away the clitoral hood with or without the removal of the clitoris; (ii) by removal of the clitoris with partial or total removal of the vaginal lips; (iii) by removal of the clitoris, vaginal lips and stitching of the vaginal opening or (iv) by involving tribal mutilation or burning of the vaginal orifice using corrosives to narrow the vaginal passage. The most extreme form of female genital mutilation is the excision of the clitoris, labia minora and labia majora followed by the sewing together of the raw edges of the vulva so that only a small hole remains through which urine and menstrual fluid may pass.

Keywords: child abuse, criminal law

JEL Classifications: K10

Accepted Paper Series