Police Scotland are supporting International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation today. FGM is one of the most severe forms of child abuse. There are communities in every area in Scotland that could potentially be affected by this.
We are committed to introducing and strengthening information sharing and risk assessment in relation to FGM in keeping with national child protection procedures, to ensure early and effective intervention, support and protection.
Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins said, “Police Scotland, with its statutory partners and support organisations, nationally and locally, has a duty to protect young women at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), to ensure early and effective intervention and adequate support and protection from one of the severest forms of violence against women.
“FGM is child abuse and Police Scotland is fully committed to tackling and preventing this practice.
“In order to prevent FGM we must engage and work with communities to increase their confidence in reporting information to agencies that will allow appropriate intervention to protect children.
“Our officers and staff are trained to ensure they have the necessary understanding, awareness and skills to allow them to respond appropriately to this complex and sensitive subject.
“International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is an important reminder that this practice still goes on, that it is a global issue and that by working together we can protect children and help eradicate FGM.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
