FGM and the law

What does the law say?

All types of FGM have been illegal in the UK since the 1985 Female Circumcision Prohibition Act. The new Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003) updates and extends the original act.

It is now ‘an offence to take UK nationals and those with permanent UK residency overseas for the
purpose of circumcision, to aid and abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM. It is illegal for
anyone to circumcise women or children for cultural or non-medical reasons.’

A person convicted of an offence under the FGM Act 2003 is liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years.