The Act
3.The purpose of the Act is to strengthen statutory protections for those at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). Specifically, the Act creates a new female genital mutilation protection order which can impose conditions or requirements upon a person or persons for the purpose of protecting a person or persons from FGM, safeguarding them from further harm if FGM has already occurred, or to otherwise prevent or reduce the likelihood that FGM offences will occur. The Act makes it a criminal offence to breach a female genital mutilation protection order or an equivalent UK order. The Scottish Ministers must issue statutory guidance relating to female genital mutilation protection orders and the Act also makes provision enabling the Scottish Ministers to issue statutory guidance in relation to FGM generally. Relevant public bodies must have regard to the statutory guidance in the exercise of their functions.
