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1688815

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many female genital mutilation offences were recorded between April 2022 and March 2023; and of those, how many prosecutions have occurred.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL2408
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>Since April 2019, the Home Office has required police forces to provide quarterly data returns on the number of offences they have recorded as being related to ‘honour’-based abuse, which includes FGM. In October 2023, the Home Office published the fourth set of these annual statistics, which included 84 offences relating to FGM covering the year to March 2023. Data on prosecutions is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice.</p><p>Between April 2022 and March 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recorded one offence which was charged by the police under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. This was discontinued at its first hearing due to an incorrect charge submitted by the police. Separately, in October 2023, a defendant was found guilty of aiding the female genital mutilation of a non-UK person contrary to section 3 of the Act. This defendant was originally charged in 2018.</p><p>In April 2023, the Home Office commissioned the University of Birmingham to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether it is possible to produce a robust prevalence estimate of FGM and forced marriage. This work is ongoing and decisions about next steps will be taken in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom grouped question UIN HL2409 question first answered 27/02/2024 17:19:08 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1659847

	registered interest
	date	11/09/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether there have been any more female genital prosecutions in the UK since the first conviction in February 2019.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jenkin of Kennington
	uin	HL10038
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2023 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions and convictions for female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Outcomes by Offence data tool using the following HO code:</p><ul><li>00852 - Offences under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003<br></li></ul><p>Since the first conviction in February 2019, there was one prosecution in 2022, and no convictions for the offence of FGM.</p><p>The data tool can be accessed via the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2022" target="_blank">Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 21/09/2023 16:35:04 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	4229 label Biography information for Baroness Jenkin of Kennington

1605053

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2023
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 14 March (HL6096), what assessment they have made of why there have only been two prosecutions for female genital mutilation out of the 229 offences recorded.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL6584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2023 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Government is committed to tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) and all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The familial and hidden nature of FGM presents challenges in bringing a prosecution. Victims are mostly of a young age and vulnerable, and they often do not want to report offences that could lead to them giving evidence against family members. Some identified FGM victims have had the procedure before coming to the UK to live; in these circumstances there may not be jurisdiction to prosecute where the offence had no connection to the UK. Securing prosecutions is important, but it is also essential to protect women and girls at risk and to prevent FGM happening in the first place. FGM Protection Orders, mandatory reporting by front-line staff and an offence of failing to protect a girl from FGM are being used to safeguard those who may be at risk. The Government is funding a feasibility study to explore whether a more rigorous estimation of the prevalence of FGM and forced marriage in England and Wales can be made, to allow a deeper understanding of these crimes.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The CPS is working closely with stakeholders, including FGM support organisations, to develop a new VAWG Strategy to bring more offenders to justice and to improve victims’ experience of the criminal justice system. It will be published in Summer 2023.</p> answering member printed Lord Stewart of Dirleton question first answered 29/03/2023 16:22:50 answering member 4899 label Biography information for Lord Stewart of Dirleton
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1184478

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued for decisions about prosecuting individuals in relation to female genital mutilation offences.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jenkin of Kennington
	uin	HL2495
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2020 answer text <p>The CPS has legal guidance for all prosecutors dealing with potential cases involving female genital mutilation, which it keeps under review. This guidance has recently been revised to reflect the practical challenges in these cases and to provide clarification on piercing and cosmetic surgery. This was done in consultation with key stakeholders and published in autumn 2019.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 17/03/2020 11:37:25 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4229 label Biography information for Baroness Jenkin of Kennington

1181813

	registered interest
	date	02/03/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been (1) prosecuted for, and (2) found guilty of, female genital mutilation in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jenkin of Kennington
	uin	HL2075
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2020 answer text <p>In the period between the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 coming into force and 31 December 2018, there were 6 prosecutions and 0 convictions for female genital mutilation offences.</p><p>The media, however, reported on one conviction early in 2019, but that covers a period for which statistics will be published in May 2020.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 10/03/2020 16:34:01 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4229 label Biography information for Baroness Jenkin of Kennington

1121272

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps the CPS is taking to improve the rate of prosecution of people responsible for female genital mutilation.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	910351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2019 answer text <p>The CPS is determined to bring those responsible for Female Genital Mutilation to justice. I welcome the recent successful conviction in London which was the first in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst prosecution alone will not end this appalling crime, this first conviction sends out a strong message that FGM is child abuse and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland grouped question UIN 910355 question first answered 11/04/2019 12:19:41 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1121274

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps the CPS is taking to prosecute people responsible for female genital mutilation.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Worcestershire
	tabling member printed	Nigel Huddleston
	uin	910355
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2019 answer text <p>The CPS is determined to bring those responsible for Female Genital Mutilation to justice. I welcome the recent successful conviction in London which was the first in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst prosecution alone will not end this appalling crime, this first conviction sends out a strong message that FGM is child abuse and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland grouped question UIN 910351 question first answered 11/04/2019 12:19:41 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston

1108889

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2019
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what recent discussions he has had with the CPS on the effectiveness of prosecution in cases involving female genital mutilation.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	239331
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text <p>The CPS is determined to bring those responsible for Female Genital Mutilation to justice, and recently obtained the first conviction for such a case, in London. CPS prosecutors work closely with the police from the outset of these cases to address the challenges they raise, including legal questions concerning jurisdiction and expert evidence, and have assigned FGM leads for every CPS Area. Whilst prosecution alone will not end this appalling crime, this first conviction sends out a strong message that FGM is child abuse and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 09/04/2019 13:19:28 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1087548

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 7 March (HL Deb, col 711), whether they will ask the Attorney General to invite the views of inspectorates of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service on the problems of prosecuting cases of FGM.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morris of Aberavon
	uin	HL14468
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2019 answer text <p>Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a crime and it is child abuse. The Government will not tolerate a practice which can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. We strengthened the law in 2015, including through the introduction of Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders (FGMPOs), which are often issued with the purpose of preventing FGM from happening. 296 FGMPOs were issued between Octo-ber 2015 and September 2018. The Government works closely with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ensure a robust and effective response to FGM.</p><p>Cases of FGM involving very young and vulnerable victims are among the most complex referred to the CPS. The CPS has appointed lead FGM prosecutors, and local investigation and prosecution protocols between the police and CPS are in place to ensure that robust cases for prosecution are built. A joint police and CPS focus group for so-called honour-based abuse (HBA), forced marriage and FGM is pushing for continuous improvement in the handling of HBA cases and an increased level of support for complainants and witnesses.</p><p>There are a number of specific issues with the prosecution of these crimes. They can involve victims being hurt and coerced by members of their own families and communities, making it difficult for them to feel confident to report the crime. Additionally, in many instances when cases are referred to the CPS, it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute, if the procedure was carried out overseas before the victim moved to the UK. Further, medical evidence alone cannot prove all the elements of the offence.</p><p>In 2015 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary published a report – “The depths of dishonour – Hidden voices and shameful crimes” into the police response to so-called honour-based violence, forced marriage and FGM. This made 14 recommendations for improvement. Progress against those recommendations is monitored by the Home Office, including at a meeting on 27 February 2019 of the National Oversight Group for Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment, chaired by the Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability.</p><p>The Government is working with communities and stakeholders to emphasise the adverse health consequences of FGM and the fact that it is illegal, including through a recent awareness-raising campaign and through ongoing outreach work by the Home Office’s FGM Unit.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 26/03/2019 17:45:47 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	565 label Biography information for Lord Morris of Aberavon

1051968

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation: Prosecutions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Manzoor on 29 January (HL12848), how many successful prosecutions there have been in the UK for female genital mutiliation; and how many prosecutions are pending.
	tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
	uin	HL13299
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>Up until 31 December 2017, there have been two prosecutions in England and Wales (one in 2014, and one in 2016) but no convictions for the principal offence of female genital mutilation under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Data for 2018 will be published in May 2019.</p><p>Whilst not yet recorded in the official statistics, a jury convicted the first defendant of an FGM offence on 1 February 2019.</p><p>Information around pending prosecutions is held by the Crown Prosecution Service.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 06/02/2019 12:34:27 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch