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Brits Fight Genital Mutilation

Outlawed practice persists; offer reward for info

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2007 12:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – Britain is cracking down on female genital mutilation, banned in 2003 but still prevalent among immigrants from Africa and the Mideast. A campaign that begins today aims to raise awareness and enlist help in tracking down those who arrange or carry out the procedure, done on an estimated 400 to 500 girls a year. A $40,000 reward is offered for info leading to the first prosecution.

Authorities estimate 66,000 girls in Britain face the threat of mutilation; the risk rises in summer, when girls are often sent back home to have it done, and there's more time to recover without attracting attention. "This is a brutal attack on children," a police official tells the Guardian. "This is child abuse."

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

A poster showing Badour Shaker, who died earlier this month while being circumcised in an illegal clinic in the southern city of Maghagha, Egypt, is seen on a vehicle during a rally against circumcision... (Associated Press)

Hundreds of Egyptian girls carry posters showing Badour Shaker, who died earlier this month while being circumcised in an illegal clinic in the southern city of Maghagha, Egypt, during a rally against... (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Zeus Cosmos, right, is attacked by other protestors who object to his sign during demonstrations Saturday, September 29, 2001. Cosmos was protesting to stop genital mutilation in t (KRT Photos)

Linah Chelimo, 12, sued her parents and won a court-ordered injunction preventing them from circumcising her in Marakwet, Afghanistan May 25, 2002. (KRT Photos)

Flomena Yano, 23, was circumcised when she was 10 years old is seen in Marakwet, Kenya May 25, 2002. She's glad her sister Gladys, 11, ran away and filed a lawsuit against their parents. "I feel very (KRT Photos)

Tula Petoro, whose daughter Lois ran away and filed a lawsuit against her, vows to continue female circumcisions in Marakwet, Kenya May 25, 2002. (KRT Photos)

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10yr jail term in US for Female Genital Mutilation 02/11/06 (mars1600 (YouTube))

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Brits Fight Genital Mutilation