Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill

# Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that affects an estimated 200 million girls and women worldwide and occurs in certain communities across Scotland. Although FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 1985, significant gaps in the legislation remained, including the absence of a specific duty on professionals to report known cases of FGM to authorities. This bill was introduced to strengthen Scotland's legal framework against FGM, close enforcement gaps, and improve protection and support for girls and women at risk. The bill introduces several key measures to enhance safeguarding and prosecution. It places a mandatory reporting duty on regulated health professionals and teachers to report known cases of FGM to the police, addressing a critical enforcement gap. The legislation also increases maximum sentences for FGM-related offences and creates new offences specifically targeting assistance, encouragement, and conspiracy to commit FGM. Additionally, the bill establishes protection orders that can be used to prevent FGM and includes provisions for anonymity and special protections for child witnesses in court proceedings. The bill received Royal Assent in November 2024, becoming the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2024, with mandatory reporting provisions coming into force in early 2025.

AI-generated summary