Lib Dems Welcome FGM National Action Plan
Liberal Democrats have welcomed a report by the Home Affairs Select Committee calling for a national action plan to end this abhorrent form of abuse.
The report calls for greater anonymity for victims and protection orders to safeguard girls from being taken abroad.
Liberal Democrat Crime Prevention Minister, Norman Baker said: "Female Genital Mutilation is a criminal offence, and it is child abuse. The coalition government is already driving a step change to end this extremely harmful and misguided practice, which has a lifelong impact on survivors' physical and mental health.
"Earlier this year, Ministers from across government signed a declaration to demonstrate their commitment to end this terrible form of abuse. We are working with religious and community leaders to forge a commitment to condemn FGM, and reaching out to communities to encourage them to seek help and advice and ultimately abandon the practice.
"We are also taking steps to improve professionals' understanding of FGM and to protect foreign nationals who are habitually resident in the UK and are taken overseas to be cut. This summer, the Prime Minister will host the UK's first Girl Summit, aimed at ending FGM within a generation.
"We will carefully consider the Home Affairs Select Committee's recommendations and will publish a full response in due course."
Liberal Democrats are breaking the taboo on FGM. Our goal is to end FGM within a generation.