House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Protect Women and Young Girls

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation Act (H.R. 3317). This bill, introduced by Congressman Dave Trott (R-Mich.) and also known as the SAFE Act, prevents discrimination against women and young girls by increasing the maximum penalty for female genital mutilation. The Center for Disease Control estimates that at least half a million females in the United States have undergone genital mutilation or are at risk of having it done. While female genital mutilation is illegal in the United States, the federal penalty is much weaker than penalties in other countries. Currently, the first federal case involving female genital mutilation is being tried in Southeast Michigan where two doctors and the wife of one of the doctors have been charged with performing this illegal procedure on two young girls. The SAFE Act combats this human rights abuse by raising the maximum penalty for female genital mutilation from five years to 15 years. It also calls on state governments to ensure that they have proper laws in place for healthcare providers, school officials, and adults to report to local law enforcement about suspected genital mutilation. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Representative Trott applauded today’s Committee approval of the SAFE Act in the statements below. Chairman Goodlatte: “It is deeply troubling that many women and young girls in the United States are at risk of female genital mutilation. This heinous ritual violates basic human rights in a horrific way, and we must ensure our laws appropriately deter and punish those seeking to harm women. Today, the House Judiciary Committee approved the SAFE Act, which contains new tools to fight this human rights abuse. I thank Congressman Trott for his efforts to protect young girls and women from this practice and call on the House to pass his bill without delay.” Representative Trott: “The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 500,000 females in the United States have undergone or are at risk for genital mutilation, and recently this staggering statistic hit home in Southeast Michigan. In April, three physicians – health professionals we trust with our children – were arrested, suspected of performing over 100 female genital mutilations out of their practice in my district. These doctors, and all those who commit these horrendous crimes against innocent children across the country, must be held accountable for their unconscionable actions. We must protect our girls, and this legislation increasing the federal penalty is critical to eradicating this barbaric practice from our communities.”