Court orders to protect women from FGM issued in Sheffield for first time

Court orders designed to protect two women from being subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) have been issued in Sheffield for the first time.

The protection orders, granted by Sheffield Family Court, allow police to retain the passports of potential victims, preventing them from being taken out of the country.

The orders remain in place until May 2, when they could be extended at a further court hearing.

FGM, also known as female circumcision, is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The practice is found in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Detective Sergeant Suzanne Bluck, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “I hope this sends out a strong message, to those who support or seek to enforce this practice either here or abroad, that we with our partners will take action where necessary to enforce the law and protect victims.

“FGM is a serious offence and it is notoriously difficult to expect young children to potentially prosecute family members or understand that it is wrong. However, this type of order is a strong preventative and protective measure from the one incident in their lives that causes permanent physical and psychological damage."