Female genital mutilation cases involving minors remain hard to detect, authorities warn

During 2025, the Catalan Mossos d’Esquadra police force intervened in six cases involving minors who could have become victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), as well as two girls who had already undergone the practice before arriving in Catalonia.

The figures were released on the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on Friday, observed worldwide to raise awareness of the practice.

Authorities warn that detection is complex, as the victims are usually minors and sexuality remains a taboo subject in many cultures. They stress the need to strengthen prevention, training, and awareness in a context of continued migration from countries where the practice still exists.

Detecting situations that may involve a risk of female genital mutilation is not always easy, and a large number of unreported cases is suspected, Judith Avellaneda from the Central Unit for the Attention and Monitoring of Victims explained to the Catalan News Agency.

Alerts are often triggered by subtle warning signs identified by professionals who, alongside the Mossos, make up the FGM prevention network, including educational institutions, primary healthcare services, and social services.

Warning signs monitored by the prevention unit include sudden trips to the family's country of origin with vague explanations about the purpose of the journey, or situations in which the child is not travelling with their parents, among other indicators.

"We are used to talking about sexual or reproductive health issues, but not all cultures are this open", Avellaneda said, adding that this often makes the issue "very difficult to talk about" and can delay victims’ awareness for years.