Doctors, nurses, midwives and teachers are now legally required to report cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) to the police.
Failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures and could ultimately lead to them being barred from working.
The rules apply in England and Wales when girls under 18 say they have been cut or staff recognise the signs.
FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985.
The practice, also known as female circumcision, refers to any procedure that alters or injures the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
In its most severe form, the genitals are cut and stitched closed until the victim is ready to have a baby and then sewn back up again. Proponents believe this keeps women and girls "hygienic, chaste and faithful".
Studies are under way to work out how many are affected - but the figure is thought to be around 137,000 in England and Wales.
The government is committed to ending the "abusive and illegal practice" within a -READ MORE-BBC LINK-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34681057
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