Following a public consultation, the government has announced that it will introduce a mandatory reporting requirement for female genital mutilation (FGM) through amendments to the Serious Crime Bill. Its next steps are outlined in its report, Introducing mandatory reporting for female genital mutilation consultation - summary of responses, and include placing multi-agency guidance on FGM cases on a statutory footing.
What FGM cases will be covered by the reporting duty?
The mandatory reporting requirement will cover cases of "known FGM" - instances of FGM that are disclosed by the victim and/or are visually confirmed. The government states that the statutory duty would not change the current approach to responding to suspected or "at risk" cases of FGM, such that professionals would continue to refer cases in accordance with the multi-agency guidelines on FGM and within the existing safeguarding framework.
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