Pre-crime, hyper-vigilance, and the over-surveillance of migrant-heritage families in FGM-safeguarding in England and Wales

This article investigates the role of pre-emptive policies and practices which aim to eliminate Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M) in England and Wales. We argue that the Serious Crime Act 2015, with its specific measures to pre-empt, uncover, and punish FGC/M, represents a milestone in the development of a pre-crime society (Zedner, 2007). By combining data collected from focus group interviews with migrant-heritage families living in Bristol in 2018 and data on state practices obtained via Freedom of Information requests in 2022, we provide unique insights into the nature and unfolding harmful impacts of hyper-vigilance and over-surveillance associated with the pre-emptive justice elements of the 2015 Act. In doing so, we expose the role played by central government in institutionalising racism within the police and social work and urge that social workers engage reflexively in anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, and drive new discussions about decolonialism within the profession.