The Scottish Government has teamed up with Scottish charities to speak out on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

The Scottish Government has teamed up with a feminist voluntary organisation to draw up a clear statement opposing female genital mutilation.

The government and the Scottish Women's Support Project released the statement today to coincide with the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a United Nations sponsored day.

The statement sets out the scope of current legislation and where victims can obtain help and support.

It has been signed by the Lord Advocate, the RT Hon Frank Mulholland QC and others, including Alex Neil, Shona Robison and Fiona McLeod and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House.

The Lord Advocate said: "Female genital mutilation is an appalling crime with potentially devastating health consequences.

"Anyone involved in female genital mutilation will be prosecuted."

FGM is recognised internationally as a devastating form of violence against women and girls and a violation of their human rights

The practice, which involves, procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, has been illegal in the UK since 1985.

The first UK prosecution only occurred last year but to date the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has had no reports in relation to offences in Scotland.

It is more often found in Africa and the Middle East with a number of UK and international charities campaigning against it around the world.

Through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts’ (WAGGGS) Stop the Violence campaign, members of Girlguiding Scotland, alongside WAGGGS members in 144 other countries, are encouraged to lobby for changes in legislation and attitudes to stop all forms of violence against women and girls.

Denise King, chief executive of Girlguiding Scotland, said: “Girlguiding Scotland believes all girls and young women should be able to live their life free from torture and degrading treatment.

“FGM is recognised internationally as a devastating form of violence against women and girls and a violation of their human rights.

“That’s why we’re backing the Stop the Violence campaign to call for an end to FGM and all other ways of hurting and controlling women and girls.”