The AHA Foundation and Kentucky survivor Jenny worked alongside state legislators to help ensure Kentucky’s girls would be protected by a strong law prohibiting female genital mutilation (FGM), which passed in 2020. Today, we are seeing that law put to use for the first known time.
When Jenny came forward, she did so because she knew firsthand the lifelong physical and emotional consequences of FGM, and because she wanted to ensure that no other girl in Kentucky would experience what she had endured. AHA was proud to stand with her and with Senator Julie Raque Adams and other Kentucky legislators in advocating for comprehensive legislation. Together, we worked to bring this form of child abuse to light and establish clear legal protections for girls in the state.
The importance of that work is now particularly clear. Kentucky’s law was designed to ensure that FGM is recognized under state law for what it is: child abuse that should never be protected or ignored. Kentucky’s authorities have confirmed that a criminal case involving charges of FGM is currently pending.
Passing a law is only the beginning. We are grateful to the Kentucky legislators who listened and acted, and to law enforcement and child protection professionals who are now using these protections to hold alleged perpetrators accountable. This first known use of Kentucky’s FGM law is an important reminder of why the work to enact these protections matters. Our priority must always be preventing FGM from happening in the first place, but when prevention fails, girls must have the full protection of the law.
AHA Foundation is deeply appreciative of Jenny’s bravery in coming forward to recount her experiences, advocate for the protection of others, and her work in training professionals to better support survivors.