More than two West Australian babies a month are subject to the controversial practice of female genital mutilation.
These figures compelled the Australian Medical Association WA to urge the state government to create reporting procedures for the practice.
AMA (WA) vice-president Michael Gannon said the practice of FGM was not only unacceptable, but un-Australian.
“I urge the WA Health Department to develop protocols and a system to allow doctors and members of the general public to report any examples of female genital mutilation that they may see or be aware of,” Dr Gannon said.
arlier this week, Health Minister Kim Hames told parliament that there were 325 babies who had been subjected to this practice between 2000 and 2011 in WA.
This number could actually be much higher as it is understood that the matter is usually under reported.
Dr Hames attended the first National Summit on FGM last week.
Dr Gannon congratulated Dr Hames for his effort working with the Health Department to help inform WA general practitioners.
“For too long we have pretended it doesn’t happen to Australian children,” he said.
“Unfortunately it does – but it shouldn’t in a modern, 21st Century Australia.
“This is not about religion or culture. This is about an unacceptable practice that is already against the law,” Dr Gannon said.
“I remind all West Australians that FGM is not appropriate and nor is it legal.”
As a result of the summit on the practice, consistent national penalties are expected to be developed and the legal definition of FGM is expected to be clarified.