A young girl has reportedly been taken from her home in Brisbane to a country in Africa to undergo female genital mutilation.
Australian federal police confirmed to Guardian Australia they were investigating the matter but would not give out any details of the case.
Sources within the city’s west African community say the girl, originally from Sierra Leone, travelled to Africa before Christmas with her father to undergo the procedure. It is understood she may have travelled to Gambia but police are still trying to ascertain where she is.
FGM is illegal in every state and territory in Australia and it is also illegal to take girls out of the country for the purpose of having the procedure carried out on them.
The girl, who is believed to be between four and seven years old, is yet to return to Australia and there are concerns for her welfare.
Members of the west African community were hesitant to speak on the record about the case. Some see it as a tradition that should be carried on, while others feared being seen to speak out against their own community.
“I don’t think the police are going to get to her in time, I think it’s already too late,” one person told Guardian Australia on condition of anonymity.
Unusually, the case was originally reported to Victorian police before being handed to the AFP once it became apparent the girl was no longer in the country.
Asked directly if the AFP was investigating, a spokeswoman responded: “The AFP can confirm it has received a referral.”
“We are conducting inquiries in relation to this matter therefore it is not appropriate to comment further,” she said.