Below is a statement released by Senator Dick Black (R-13) concerning a bill he has introduced this session. His bill, SB 1060, makes it a felony to perform female genital mutilation on a minor, and also provides a woman with standing to sue her parents if they perform this barbaric procedure on her.
The bill is going before the Courts of Justice Committee tomorrow (Monday, Jan. 16th). This bill should be a no-brainer for both Democrats and Republicans to support, but there is a real concern that there may be an attempt to kill this bill quietly as “too controversial.” Please take a moment to call or email the Senators on the Courts of Justice Committee and let them know that you want them to work towards putting an end to this practice in Virginia.
On Monday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee will take up Senator Dick Black’s bill, SB1060, which makes it a felony for female genital mutilation of a minor. Twenty-four states have passed laws to outline this brutal practice. He has introduced this bill to protect girls here in Virginia.
Genital mutilation is the ritual removal of the female genitalia. This gruesome practice is typically performed in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and this is spilling over into America. This archaic attempt to force chastity upon girls through genital mutilation is an attempt to control women’s sexuality. UNICEF estimated in 2016 that 200 million women in 30 countries are victims of this vile practice.
“This physical torture of little girls is a violation of the rights of children,” Senator Black (R ) 13th Senate District said, “My bill will give these girls legal rights. Parents need to reconsider if mutilating their daughters is worth 20 years in jail and possibly being sued by the daughter for the damage they have caused due to these barbaric practices.”
Many families fly their daughters out of the country to skirt the law and perform this violent mutilation elsewhere. However, Senator Black’s legislation will not only make genital mutilation a felony, but it also gives a woman standing to sue her parents years later if they mutilated her as a little girl.
A felony punishment carries a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of twenty years. Senator Black is asking for help to pass his bill by contacting senators and delegates to protect all girls in Virginia. Senators Obenshain, Saslaw, Norment, Howell, Lucas, Edwards, McDougle, Stuart, Stanley, Reeves, Chafin, Deeds and Sturtevant are on the Courts of Justice Committee.
