A woman who took a three-year-old British girl to Kenya where she suffered genital mutilation has been jailed for seven years.
Amina Noor, 39, was convicted last October at the Old Bailey of assisting a non-UK person to carry out the procedure in 2006. A trial previously heard how Somalia-born Noor took the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to a home in Kenya. There, the girl was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). The crime was discovered when she was 16 and confided in a teacher at school.
Noor has now been locked up for seven years at a sentencing hearing today. This is the first time in the Met’s history where officers have secured justice for female genital mutilation (FGM) occurring abroad. It is only the second time in UK history that somebody has been convicted of FGM since it became illegal in 1985.
At the time of the conviction, senior crown prosecutor Patricia Strobino said: "This kind of case will hopefully encourage potential victims and survivors of FGM to come forward, safe in the knowledge they are supported, believed and also are able to speak their truth about what's actually happened to them. It will also send a clear message to those prospective defendants or people that want to maintain this practice that it doesn't matter whether they assist or practise or maintain this practice within the UK, or overseas, they are likely to be prosecuted.
Amina Noor was convicted last October (PA)“Within specific communities within the UK, although these offences and practices are prevalent, it's often very difficult to get individuals to come forward to explain the circumstances of what's happened to them because there was a fear they may be excluded or pushed away or shunned, isolated from their community."
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According to an initial account, Noor described going with another woman to a "clinic" where the girl was called into a room for a procedure. The defendant said she was invited in but refused because she was "scared and worried". Afterwards, the girl appeared quiet and cried the whole night and complained of pain, according to the account. Noor described what had been done to the girl as "Sunnah", meaning "tradition" or "way" in Arabic, and said it was a practice which had gone on for cultural reasons for many years.
Last year’s trial heard how 94% of females of Somali origin living in Kenya undergo the shocking procedure, according to United Nations figures.
Giving evidence in her trial, Noor, from Harrow, north-west London, said she was threatened with being "cursed" and "disowned" within her community if she did not take part. She told jurors the threat gave her "pain", and added: "That was a pressure I had no power to do anything about."
Following today’s sentencing, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy encouraged victims to come forward and seek support from police and partners.
He acknowledged the fear that some victims may have of reporting FGM and reassured victims that reports would be dealt with confidentiality, empathy and compassion.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team led the investigation, said “Our mission is to prevent FGM from taking place, working with local communities and expert health partners to achieve this and safeguard vulnerable children.
“We know FGM can be a taboo subject, which is rarely discussed within families and communities – we must build trust with those impacted so we can protect victims. It’s not our job to judge and we will always remain sensitive and respectful.
“I hope today’s sentence acts as a real deterrent to those who choose to harm children in this way. Most importantly, I hope that we can use this result as an opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this topic, ensuring victims know that there is support and help out there.”
Anyone who has suffered from FGM can get help, support and advice from health professionals in the NHS, as well as from the National FGM centre.
The Dahlia Project also offers support to women who had survived FGM and work to empower communities through education to reject FGM and to raise awareness with professionals about FGM and safeguarding.
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If you have concerns about the welfare of any young person, or you have information about FGM-related offending, you can call police on 101 or the NSPCC FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550.
Anonymity starts as soon as an allegation of FGM is made to police, which ensures victims and survivors are protected whatever the outcome is of the investigation or prosecution. If you know someone who you believe to be at immediate risk, call 999 immediately.
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