Newly released data shows that 5,391 new cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) were reported in England this year, reported the BBC.
The statistics were presented by the National Health Service.
As per a law in the UK, doctors, hospital and other medical practitioners are required to report new cases of FGM.
The majority of women who were reported were victims of the barbaric procedure as children living abroad. One-third of the newly reported victims were born in Somalia. UK-born victims comprised 112 of the reported cases.
Any intentional altering or injuring of the female external genitalia for non-medical reasons is illegal in the UK. Violators can be punished with up to 14 years in prison.
Via Clarion