Dishonour the crime campaign

Specialist officers from Greater Manchester Police have been speaking to travellers at Manchester Airport this week about the threat of honour-based abuse and female genital mutilation (FGM)

Specialist officers from Greater Manchester Police have been speaking to travellers at Manchester Airport this week about the threat of honour-based abuse and female genital mutilation (FGM) as part of the dishonour the crime campaign.

The week-long operation which began on Monday 20 July is supported by Manchester Airport and Border Force. The activity follows on from the dishonour the crime campaign launch around honour-based violence and forced marriage, and the National Day of Memory for Britain's Lost Women held on 14 July 2015.

The operation comes as the first female genital mutilation prevention order was issued by Greater Manchester Police on Saturday 18 July under a new law that protects young girls from being subjected to FGM. Breaching the order is a criminal offence and allows authorities to seize the passports of people who they suspect are planning on taking girls abroad for mutilation.

Throughout the week officers will be available for people travelling through Manchester Airport to discuss any concerns they might have about honour-based violence and female genital mutilation (FGM), offering opportunities for young people to find out more.

FGM is one of a collection of practices referred to as honour-based abuse. These practices can include forced marriage as well as dowry abuse, child marriage and many other types of abuse. Referred to as ‘honour-based abuse’, these practices cut across all cultures, nationalities, faith groups and communities and transcend national and international boundaries.

Abuse can be used to control behaviour within families to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or ‘honour’. This can lead to violence when it is felt that an individual has broken the ‘honour’ code and brought shame on their family or community by way of their actions.

A small, travel-size booklet and other promotional material containing helpline numbers and specialist support will also be distributed throughout the week of activity.

Greater Manchester Police Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson said: “No matter what form it takes, honour-based abuse is an abhorrent crime and we are working hard to detect incidents and protect the vulnerable people involved.

“Female genital mutilation is a brutally harmful process and we operate a zero tolerance approach to it. This week of activity has been organised to raise awareness amongst both the general public and those who may believe honour-based abuse to be a part of their culture.

“Police intelligence has shown that girls at risk are taken back to their countries of origin at the start of school holidays. This allows for healing prior to their return to school. FGM is an offence whether committed here or abroad, and we urge people to reject this barbaric process, or tell us about anyone they might be concerned about.”

Tony McMullin, Border Force North Regional Director, said: “Border Force officers have an important role to play in the drive to end female genital mutilation, through gathering intelligence and taking action at the border.

“That is why we have teams of specially trained officers at Manchester and other major airports with the skills to identify and protect potential victims and stop the perpetrators.

“The summer holidays are a time of particular risk for many girls, and we are working closely with our partners to provide crucial intelligence and carrying out additional checks to prevent FGM”.

Border Force Safeguarding and Trafficking teams are in place at major ports across the UK including Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick, and the juxtaposed controls. These officers have been given advanced training so they have the right skills to identify and deal sensitively with potential victims of FGM in sometimes complex situations.

FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons. It is prevalent in countries in mid and northern Africa and parts of Asia. It is allegedly carried out to safeguard a young woman's virginity and her family's honour, and can involve a festival or celebration as part of the ceremony.

Passengers are reassured that although incidents do not happen on a daily occurrence, the summer holidays call for extra vigilance as parents often use this period as an opportunity to take young girls abroad.

For full guidelines on honour-based abuse, FGM and the law please visit the Home Office website. Anyone with concerns is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or the FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550. You can also contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

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