I welcome the decision of Michael Gove to write to all schools in the country asking them to help protect girls from female genital mutilation (FGM). Schools will receive guidance before Easter, aimed at stopping "this very serious form of child abuse".
FGM, sometimes called female circumcision, involves the cutting or cutting away of external female genital organs. Official figures put the number of victims of FGM in the UK at about 66,000, but this is thought to be an underestimate. It is a crime that my ultimate boss, Theresa May, has been pursuing very forcefully, but we need victims and others who know this is happening to come forward in order to secure convictions against this barabaric act against children.
Michael made the announcement after meeting campaigners, including the Bristol student Fahma Mohamed, on Tuesday.
Full details here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26352877
