Evaluating the impact of existing legislation in Europe with regard to female genital mutilation (2004)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Lucas J.D.,Añón Roig M.J.,Flores F.,García Añón J.,Llabrés Fuster A.,Mestre i Mestre R.,Mira Benavent J.,Ruiz Sanz M.,Solanes Corella Á.,Tomas y Valiente Lanuza C.,and Torres Pérez F
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To compile information about specific or general legislation applicable to FGM in 15 EU Member States,to analyze the difficulties of implementing these legal provisions in 5 EU Member States and to formulate recommendations for an EU strategy on legal actions towards FGM
Study Population: police,prosecutors,judges,doctors,nurses,social assistants and immigrants
Findings: The research demonstrated that specific criminal law provisions were no guarantee for court cases,neither were they more efficient in punishing FGM than general criminal law provisions. The implementation of FGM legislation met two main obstructing factors: the identification of FGM cases and the evidence gathering. In fact,the implementation was a complex issue and not an obvious or automatic process. Several actors were active at different levels and various determinants influenced the process of implementation. Developing legislation to punish a crime is one thing; the implementation of such legislation is another. Therefore,the latter required sufficient time,means and engagement in order to be successful.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Europe,Southern Europe,Northern Europe
Country(ies):Austria,Belgium,Denmark,France,Finland,Germany,Greece,Ireland,Italy,Luxembourg,Portugal,Sweden,Spain,Netherlands,United Kingdom