Female genital mutilation is a crime and a serious human rights violation with lifelong serious physical and psychological consequences for the girls and women affected.
Female genital mutilation is a crime that can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 15 years (Section 226a of the German Criminal Code — StGB)
Foreign nationals who return to Germany after performing female genital mutilation, helping others to do so or failing to protect their daughters may be refused entry to Germany or their existing residence permit may expire.
The Federal Government’s letter of protection provides information and support for potential victims.
Letter of protection against female genital mutilation
The letter of protection against female genital mutilation provides information about the criminal liability of female genital mutilation — even if it is carried out abroad — and about the possible loss of a residence permit. It is primarily intended to protect against female genital mutilation in the countries of origin during vacation periods and can be carried in the passport.
Download protection letter against female genital mutilation
Are you affected by FGM/C or does someone you know need help and advice?
Then you can contact us by telephone during our opening hours (Mon to Thu — 10.00 am to 3.00 pm)
or via our contact form.
For faster and better accessibility, please include your telephone number (optional).
You can also:
- call the police (phone number: 📞 110) or
- Your local youth welfare office in your place of residence
Karlsruhe
General social service of the youth welfare office
📞 0721 936 — 67 010
📞 112 (outside of business hours)
What is female genital mutilation and what are the risks?
In female genital mutilation (also known as FGM), the external genitalia are partially or completely removed without medical reasons. This is usually done without anesthesia and under unhygienic conditions. In the most severe form, the vaginal entrance is almost completely sewn shut. The physical and psychological consequences for the women and girls affected are serious. When female genital mutilation is carried out, deaths can also occur directly due to excessive blood loss or severe infection.
What are the penalties and consequences of female genital mutilation?
Female genital mutilation is a crime that can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 15 years (Section 226a of the German Criminal Code — StGB). It is also punishable if it is carried out abroad and the perpetrator is German. Genital mutilation abroad is also punishable if the girl or woman on whom the mutilation is carried out is German or has her place of residence or center of life in Germany. Anyone who carries out female genital mutilation themselves or helps another person to do so may be liable to prosecution. Parents can be liable to prosecution if they do not protect their daughters from female genital mutilation in Germany or abroad.
There are also considerable consequences outside of criminal law. Foreign nationals who return to Germany after performing female genital mutilation, helping others to do so or failing to protect their daughters may be refused entry to Germany or their existing residence permit may expire.
This event is gratis
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