Surgical instrumentsToday’s Guardian Woman reports that campaigners against female genital mutilation (FGM) have cautiously welcomed government moves to require professionals to report suspected cases of FGM, but have also warned of the risk of alienating communities and forcing the practice further underground.

The government launched a consultation today into mandatory reporting of FGM that will ask which professionals should be forced to report, how it should be introduced and what punishment frontline professionals should face if they fail to report an incidence of FGM, click here to view the consultation.

Lynne Featherstone, the crime prevention minister, said frontline professionals needed clarity about reporting possible cases of FGM.

Many associated charities have welcomed the move by the government, but say heavy-handed mandatory reporting could drive practice further underground.

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The Team

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