[Livia]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

They haven't given out much info on the case in that article but I wonder why he was acquitted? Was it that they didn't believe he was involved in it (if so that seems fair) but if it's because they didn't believe the reason he did was punishment(as Jaxie said, there should be no valid reason) then that's disgraceful

The prosecution told the jury the FGM did not happen for cultural or family reasons, but as a punishment.

However, Kate Bex QC, defending the father, suggested FGM was "predominantly perpetrated by female cutters on women" for reasons including "purification, honour and social acceptance".

And that's why, in a nutshell, when I was thinking of training as a barrister, I knew I could never be a defence barrister.