5 things you need to know about vacation cutting & FGM in the United States.

Vacation cutting affects more girls than you may realize.

Tell the New York State Assembly to stop vacation cutting in our state. Sign now.

1. The number of girls and women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) has been massively underestimated.

A new UN study reveals that over 500,000 girls and women in the United States have undergone or are at risk of undergoing FGM, a dangerous and non-medically necessary procedure that intentionally alters or causes injury to the female genital organs. This number is almost three times larger than previous estimates.

2. Girls in New York are especially at risk.

In the New York metropolitan area alone, over 65,000 girls are considered at high risk of undergoing FGM. Other states with high rates of risk include California, Texas, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington.

3. FGM is not a product of a single culture or religion.

FGM takes place in many different cultures, in the United States and around the world. It is NOT a practice tied to or condoned by any major religion, and in fact the practice pre-dates Christianity and Islam. Religious leaders across the world have denounced the practice.

4. FGM is illegal in New York State, but vacation cutting remains legal.

Vacation cutting is the practice of sending girls and young women out of New York, where FGM is illegal, to a country abroad where they can undergo the dangerous procedure. New legislation would make vacation cutting illegal in New York State, but since 2013 the state Assembly has failed to pass this critical bill.

5. You can take action to stop vacation cutting in New York.

Vacation cutting hurts girls and harms our community. We’re rallying supporters to sign a petition calling on the New York State Assembly to pass the vacation cutting ban. We need 1,000 signatures by February 29th to make a big impact. You can sign today.