THE Scottish Government is under pressure to act after warnings that young girls are being brought here to undergo female genital mutilation.
According to charity officials, families from England and France have come to Scotland to have their daughters endure the illegal procedure because they believe there is less chance of being caught. Scottish Labour MSP Jenny Marra has now demanded the Scottish Government to do more to tackle the crime by training and raising awareness among police, health care and social workers.
She said it was "astonishing" that since the passing of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act in 2005 there still had not been a single police report for the crime in Scotland.
"FGM is a growing problem and the Scottish Government has already said the number of girls at risk in Scotland is likely to be significantly higher than the current 3000 estimate," said Ms Marra.
"Girls are being brought here from England and abroad to have this abhorrent crime done to them and we need to know the Scottish Government is ensuring that health workers, teachers and midwives have knowledge and confidence to report FGM when they see the risk signs."
Christina McKelvie, an SNP MSP, also called for further action, writing to Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary, about the perception there is less chance of being caught here.
She has also contacted Health Secretary Alex Neil to explore how patients arriving at hospital could be identified and the police contacted.
"I have also asked The Lord Advocate for an urgent meeting to discuss awareness training amongst the judiciary and how to increase conviction rates," she added.
Minister for Equalities, Shona Robison, said FGM had no place in Scotland. "Anyone aware of FGM taking place has a legal and moral duty to report it.
"The police have assured us that they investigate all reported incidents and there is strong legislation in place to prosecute," she said.
"We will continue to tackle this abuse of human rights through a strategy of working closely with multiple agencies and communities across Scotland."
Outlawed in the UK in 1985, FGM traditionally involves the full or partial removal of young girls' genitals.
Anela Anwar, of Scottish charity Roshni, said because there has been a lack of prosecutions in this country, families are coming from England and Wales into Scotland to have the practice carried out.
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