Gov. Wes Moore just signed the first update of Maryland’s law on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in over two decades. The bill, which passed the House 120 to 0, explicitly includes FGM/C in the definition of “abuse” that health care providers and educators are required to report.

FGM/C is a severe human rights violation affecting over 30,000 women and girls in Maryland, half a million across the United States and 230 million worldwide. It’s surprising to many Americans that it occurs here at all, so raising awareness of FGM/C in the U.S. is an uphill battle. Ending it requires constant advocacy and education, and strong state and federal laws working together.

Maryland’s new law is a big step forward. Even though FGM/C was already prohibited under state and federal law, Maryland’s existing protections were incomplete—vague or uncertain when it came to identifying those at risk, responding early and supporting survivors.

The D.C.-Maryland-Virginia metro area ranks second worst in the nation for prevalence of FGM/C, with 40,000 women and girls who are at risk or have already undergone the procedure. D.C. and Virginia recently enacted stronger FGM/C laws, which left Maryland at higher risk of so-called vacation cutting—transporting people under 18 out of state to undergo FGM/C.

Maryland’s new law bans vacation cutting, increases penalties for violations, establishes victims’ civil right to sue for damages and funds stronger data collection. Notably, it also requires developing educational materials for those likely to encounter the warning signs—teachers, nurses, pediatricians, social workers and other mandated reporters—so they aren’t left guessing about what they’re seeing or what their reporting responsibilities are.

FGM/C flies under the radar. It’s unfamiliar to many Americans. A child who goes through it may not know how to describe what happened. A family may never name it directly. A provider may see warning signs but hesitate, unsure whether to speak up. The new law will help to change that.

FGM/C is a crime, but we can’t rely on courtrooms to prevent it. Criminal law can make a difference, but it applies only after damage is done. Prevention begins with recognizing that this severe, gender-based harm is prevalent in the community, and providing education and tools to speak up about it.

Maryland’s updated law will help stop FMG/C through mandatory reporting and interdiction. At the same time, it encourages more supportive practices inside communities where FGM/C is practiced. Many who perform or encourage FGM/C do not perceive it to be abusive or harmful, though it certainly is. So communities need tools to help them recognize and address the warning signs in a non-judgmental, non-traumatizing way. It’s a highly culturally sensitive issue that calls for humility. Conveying an understanding of the FGM/C’s lasting physical and mental harms and standing up for the bodily autonomy of every person takes respectful, cross-cultural dialogue.

Dialogue takes resources, but anti-FGM/C work in the U.S. remains woefully underfunded and understaffed. Hopefully, Maryland’s new law will encourage more states to follow suit, strengthen their protections and allocate resources to stopping FGM/C.

Now that the law is on the books, the real test is implementation. Schools, clinicians and communities need to use its new tools to call out and prevent FGM/C before one more child is forced to suffer it in silence.