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Survivors and advocates press committee to strengthen SB 1438 to ban female genital mutilation in Connecticut
Summary
Survivors, clinicians and human‑rights advocates urged the Judiciary Committee March 24 to strengthen SB 1438 to ban female genital mutilation/cutting in Connecticut and to add education and civil remedies for survivors.
Survivors, clinicians and human‑rights advocates urged the Judiciary Committee March 24 to pass Senate Bill 1438, which would prohibit female genital mutilation/cutting (FGMC) in Connecticut. Several witnesses said the bill as drafted is an important step but urged amendments to broaden the statutory definition, raise criminal penalties and add prevention and survivor‑support provisions.
Advocates and survivors pressing for broader language
Joe Keogh, a founding member of the Connecticut Coalition to End FGMC and a licensed professional counselor, said FGMC can have “profoundly traumatic and lifelong impacts” that include post‑traumatic stress disorder, chronic shame and psychosexual issues. He told the committee the coalition proposed alternative bill language attached to his written testimony that would be more “holistic, survivor driven, and shaped by meaningful discussions” with other statewide organizations.
Anastasia…
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