Female genital mutilation violates child rights act – consultant

Lead Consultant with Save Visions Africa, Dr Peter Okereke, has said that the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria violates the Child Rights Act signed into law in 2011.

State Rep. says female genital mutilation is happening in Maine

PORTLAND (WGME) – Republican Representative Heather Sirocki says her research suggests female genital mutilation is happening in Maine, and she wants to stop it.

“I get private Facebook messages from nurses; I get personal conversation from folks, they're telling me what they're seeing in Maine hospitals,” Sirocki said.

No Maine hospital would confirm they've seen patients needing treatment for FGM procedures, but Sirocki pointed us to MaineCare records, showing eight women in Maine have been treated for complications related to FGM, although it's unclear where the initial procedure was done. In April, a doctor was arrested and charged with performing FGM on young girls in Michigan.

Instead of getting defensive, churches should work to address domestic violence

You might have seen the recent media coverage looking into the relationship between church leaders and church members who have experienced family and domestic violence. As part of a series on domestic violence and religion, the ABC recently reported on claims the church is failing to protect victims, and enabling perpetrators. 

Some commentators have claimed it to be an "attack on Christianity", part of an ongoing campaign to vilify institutions and people of faith. This is a dangerous misinterpretation of the reporting, which speaks to an important issue that we all need to work to address.