FGM is against the law in the UK. It is also against the law for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to take their child abroad to have FGM. The maximum penalty for committing FGM or aiding the offence is 14 years in prison.
In addition, under the Serious Crime Act 2015, a new offence of ‘failing to protect a girl’ was introduced. This means if FGM is carried out against a girl under the age of 16, each person who was responsible for the girl at the time the FGM occurred will be liable for prosecution under this new offence.
FGM Protection Orders can be used to protect girls at risk of FGM. Breaching an FGM Protection Order is a criminal offence with a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.