Female Genital Mutilation in the United States

For the first time ever, there is a criminal case in the United States stemming from Female Genital Mutilation - the practice of "circumcising" a female infant or toddler. The case comes from Gwinnett, Georgia and involves a 27-year-old man, Khalid Adem, who has been accused of circumcising his 3-year-old daughter with a pair of scissors.

There are laws against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in eight states, but none have been used to actually prosecute anyone:

Adem, currently out on bond, is charged with aggravated assault and cruelty to children under Georgia law, both of which have the component of malicious intent. "There is no malicious intent if you are from a practicing community," [Taina] Bien-Aime said. "A good defense lawyer could put forth the defense of culture, but the states that have the anti-FGM law do not permit tradition of culture as a defense."

Tradition and culture should never be used as excuses for mutilation, torture, and abuse.

Read More:

• Should Doctors Perform Female "Circumcision"?