When people hear the term Female Genital Mutilation (or FGM) some might think of Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, or Ethiopia — countries where FGM is widely practiced.
But according to a new report by England's National Health Service, the practice is not unheard of within the UK. In fact, it’s becoming more common.
Between April 2016 and March 2017, there were 9,179 cases of FGM in England, the study found.
Take Action: Tell World Leaders to Support She Decides to Protect the Health of Girls and Women Everywhere
This is the second time NHS has released England’s FGM figures, and since the first report, the number of FGM cases has increased by over 5,000, according to BBC, a concerning rise in the practice.
Although FGM has been illegal in England since 1985, not a single case has been successfully prosecuted since then, reports Politico.
Read More: A New FGM Case Is Reported in the UK Every Single Hour, Says New Study
FGM is the practice of cutting or injuring the genitals of young girls for cultural or religious reasons. UK law considers the practice a form of child abuse, due to the lack of medical necessity and the severe, sometimes life-threatening, physical and psychological effects.
A third of the cases involved women and girls born in Somalia, and 114 cases were UK-born nationals, reports BBC.
About 95% of the women and girls underwent the procedure prior to turning 18 years old, but most cases were not reported until they were well over that age.
Read More: FGM ‘Parties’ Are Taking Place in the UK, Health Charity Warns
Nearly all FGM cases were reported by doctors and midwives working with expectant mothers, which explains why cases are not reported until years after they occur.
The National FGM Centre tries to prevent the practice, but their government funding is at risk, the Guardian has reported.
Partnered with the children’s charity Barnardo's and the Local Government Association (LGA), the Centre hopes to end new cases of FGM during the next 15 years by working with police, educators, and community leaders.
Given the most recent numbers, doing so will be a tall task.