| answer text |
<p>Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a crime and it is child abuse. The Government
is clear that we will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong
suffering to women and girls</p><p>The Government has significantly strengthened the
law in 2015 to improve protection for victims and those at risk, and to break down
the barriers to prosecution.</p><p><br>Work to tackle FGM is an integral part of our
cross-Government Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, published in March
2016. The Strategy commits to continue to challenge deep-rooted social norms, attitudes
and behaviours that discriminate against and limit women and girls across all communities.
As part of our commitment to tackling all forms of VAWG, we have pledged £100 million
in funding, including the £17 million VAWG transformation fund. This year, we will
refresh the strategy to ensure that we are doing all that we can to tackle crimes
which disproportionately affect women.</p><p>The Home Office does not hold information
on the cost of taking preventative action to those at risk of FGM. However, we are
committed to continuing our work to protect and support victims and those at risk
of this terrible crime.</p>
|
|
