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The incidence == Videos ===== Maajid Nawaz: Male circumcision consent ===A discussion of consent for non-therapeutic male circumcision of boys in the United Kingdom has been substantially reduced by Maajid Nawaz from its former peaks in the 1930s and early 1940s. Non-therapeutic circumcision of boys remains lawful provided that both parents grant consent. The practice seems to be concentrated among ethnic minorities. Ethical and [[human rights]] concerns about the surgery persist.Sky News
Non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] usually is not covered by the NHS, so parents must find a private medical or non-medical operator such as a [[mohel]] to perform the [[foreskin]] [[amputation]] and must pay the fee out of pocket as [[third-party payment]] is not available. Given the recent legal cautions uttered by the BMA,<ref name="bma2019" /> it may not be easy to find a medical practitioner willing to accept the risk.
==Video==
A discussion of consent for non-therapeutic male circumcision by Maaajid Nawaz from Sky News.
<br>
[[Category:Male circumcision]][[Category:History]]
Add and create category.
|accessdate=2021-08-04
}}</ref>
The introduction of [[circumcision]] as a medical practice was opposed by Dr. [[Herbert Snow]] who published a book entitled ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/57083/pg57083-images.html The Barbarity of Circumcision]'' in 1890.
==Early Twentieth century==
|accessdate=2021-09-05
}}</ref>
Despite these efforts to promote [[circumcision]], [[foreskinned]] men have always been and remain the norm in the United Kingdom.
==Reduction of practice==
A national election was held in the United Kingdom at the end of World War II. The Labour Party gained a majority of the seats in Parliament and its leader, Clement Atlee, became prime minister. The party leaned to the left and supported social welfare. Aneurin Bevan was Minister of Health. [https://www.nhs.uk/ The National Health Service] (NHS) was created in 1948 to provide free medical treatment for all. Services were provided based on clinical need, not ability to pay. The NHS did not provide non-therapeutic [[circumcision]], so the incidence of circumcision dropped to a very low level.<ref name="gollaher1994">{{GollaherDL 1994}}</ref>
Sir [[James Calvert Spence]], a prominent senior British paediatrician, urged his younger colleague, [[Douglas Gairdner]], to produce a paper on infant circumcision. The now famous classic paper, ''The fate of the foreskin: a study of circumcision'', was published in the ''British Medical Journal'' on Christmas Eve, 1949. The paper reported 16 deaths per year from non-therapeutic infant circumcision and concluded in part: "'''The prepuce of the young infant should therefore be left in its natural state.'''"<ref name="gairdner1949">{{GairdnerDM 1949}}</ref>
The NHS provides male circumcision only when there was a clinical need.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/circumcision-in-men/
|archived=
|format=
|quote=
}}</ref> The NHS performs circumcisions on boys only for therapeutic need.<ref name="nhschild">{{REFweb
|url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/circumcision-in-boys/
|archived=
}}</ref>
Quaba & MacKindlay (2004) reported a 33.7% decline in the incidence of [[circumcision]] in Scotland from 1990 to 2000. This occurred because medical doctors were better trained in the recognition of [[Foreskin#Foreskin_in_infancy_and_childhood| healthy non-retractile foreskin in boys]].<ref name="quaba2004">{{REFjournal
|last=Quaba
|first=
|DOI=
|accessdate= 2021-11-16
}}</ref>
The percentage of males [[circumcised]] in the United Kingdom (prevalence) is reported to be 20.7%.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://circstatistics.github.io/
|title=Global Circumcision Statistics and Estimates
|last=
|first=
|init=
|publisher=https://circstatistics.github.io
|date=2024-04-01
|accessdate=2024-04-01
}}</ref>
}}</ref> One perhaps unexpected effect of the Children Act 1989 was to bring circumcision cases into family court when parents disagreed about circumcision of a son.
The [https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/ Law Commission of England and Wales] had proposed to recommend that circumcision of male children be made lawful. The late [[Christopher P. Price]], solicitor, (1996 ) submitted a brief to the Law Commission in opposition to the proposal,<ref name="price1996">{{REFdocument
|title=Male Circumcision: A Legal Affront
|url=http://www.cirp.org/library/legal/price-uklc/
}}</ref>
The family law case of [[Re B and G (children) (No 2) EWFC 3]] (2015) was about two children in need of care. This required [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Munby Judge Munby] to consider both male and female circumcision. Judge Munby realised that male circumcision inflicted at least as much harm as lesser forms of female circumcision. This caused him to rule that male circumcision caused ''significant harm'', which now allows courts to issue care orders to prevent male circumcision.<ref name="munby2015">{{REFdocument |title=Re B and G (Children) (No 2) [2015] EWFC 3, [2015] |url=https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BandG_2_.pdf |contribution= |last=Munby |first=James |publisher=Royal Courts of Justice |format=PDF |date=2015-01-14 |accessdate=2024-07-11}}</ref> Munby cited the Brief to the Law Commission of England and Wales by the late [[Christopher P. Price]] entitled ''Male Circumcision: A Legal Affront'',<ref name="price1996">{{REFweb |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/legal/price-uklc/ |title=Male Circumcision: A Legal Affront |last=Price |first=Christopher |author-link= |publisher=Circumcision Reference Library |website= |date=1996 |accessdate=2020-09-12 |format= |quote=}}</ref>
The case of [[Re L and B (CHILDREN)| L and B (2016)]] was a case in which parents disagreed about the circumcision of two boys. The Muslim father wanted the boys circumcised, however the court ruled that no order should be issued so the boys could decide for themselves when they are of age. In this highly significant case, Mrs. Justice Roberts took the decision away from either parents and gave it to the boys, thereby recognising the boys' right to self-determination. Her conclusion is entirely consistent with the rights of the child under [[Human rights|human rights law]]. Her order also is entirely in accord with [https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=20174 Resolution 1952] of the [https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal Council of Europe].<ref name="resolution1952">{{REFdocument
|date=2013-10-01
|accessdate=2021-01-03
}}</ref>
The National Secular Society (2023) has called for the end of genital cutting of children.<ref name="nss2023">{{REFweb
|url=https://www.secularism.org.uk/religious-surgery/
|title=End forced genital cutting
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|publisher=National Secular Society
|date=2023
|accessdate=2023-09-23
}}</ref>
A court (Miss Nageena Khalique KC) has rejected a father's request to have a 16-month-old boy [[circumcised]]. The court said the boy can have it done later if he wishes.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/child-protection/392-children-protection-news/58547-high-court-rejects-application-by-father-for-young-boy-subject-to-care-order-to-be-circumcised
|title=High Court rejects application by father for young boy subject to care order to be circumcised
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=LocalGovernmentLawyer
|date=2024-09-18
|accessdate=2024-09-19
}}</ref>
The [https://www.cps.gov.uk/ Crown Prosecution Service] charged Dr [[Mohammad Siddiqui]] with twenty-five [[circumcision]]-related crimes, to which he has pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced on 14 January 2025 in [https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/southwark-crown-court Southwark Crown Court].<ref name="cps2024">{{REFweb
|title=A former surgeon found guilty of causing harm during multiple male circumcision operations
|url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/former-surgeon-found-guilty-causing-harm-during-multiple-male-circumcision-operations
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|archived=
|trans-title=
|language=
|publisher=Crown Prosecution Service
|website=
|date=2024-10-31
|accessdate=2024-11-01
|format=
|quote=He showed a complete disregard for the impact of his actions on his victims, families, and communities. We hope that this conviction offers some comfort in seeing Siddiqui being brought to justice.
}}</ref> Sidiqui was sentenced to a serve five years and seven months in prison for causing children "gratuitous pain and suffering".<ref>{{REFnews
|title=SICK SURGERY: Ex-doctor made boy’s penis ‘explode’ after performing back street circumcisions using rusty tools & ‘restraint’ board
|url=https://www.thesun.ie/news/14536792/doctor-boy-penis-circumcision/
|last=Christodoulou
|first=Holly
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=The Irish Sun
|website=
|date=2025-01-15
|accessdate=2025-01-15
|quote=During one particularly gruesome op on a dining room table in Bristol, a boy's penis "exploded" — causing him to almost die.
}}</ref>
}}</ref> but has not prohibited non-therapeutic circumcision of non-consenting minors.
Although the UK has been a member of the [[Council of EuropeDebate Genital Cutting Of Boys| Council of Europe]], a [[human rights]] organisation since 1949, a state-party to the [[ICCPR]] since 1976, and the CRC since 1991, the General Medical Council has not revised its policies and procedures to recognise the [[human rights]] of child patients to the physical security of their person.
The GMC holds four disciplinary sessions a year. Over the last decade it has disciplined 39 doctors for ritual (non-therapeutic) [[circumcision]] issues. The Medical Protection Society warned circumcision carries "considerable risks and complications”. Religious and cultural [[circumcision]] on boys is permitted, including by non-doctors, and largely occurs among Jewish, Muslim and some African Christian communities, where they are often considered a religious obligation.<ref>{{REFnews
|format=
|quote=
}}</ref>
The GMC will be holding a disciplinary hearing in the case of Dr Balvinder Mehat of Nottingham who has [[circumcised]] a second boy without the necessary two-parent surrogate consent and the wound became infected.<ref>{{REFnews
|title=Doctor circumcised second boy without parent's consent
|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-68180929
|last=Lowbridge
|first=Caroline
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=BBC
|website=
|date=2024-05-18
|accessdate=2024-05-30
|format=
|quote="I note that similar conduct by Dr Mehat has previously been determined to amount to serious misconduct. If it were found to have been repeated, this would be an aggravating factor."
}}</ref>
==The guidance of the British Medical Association==
The [[British Medical Association]] (BMA) is a [[medical trade association]]. It represents and protects the interests of its doctor-members. Unlike American medical trade associations, the BMA do not claim to be an authority on medical science. Its advice to members address ethical and legal issues to assist members in staying out of legal difficulties. The BMA have provided several statements regarding child circumcision to inform its members since 1996:
* 1996 [http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/bma/ Circumcision of Male Infants: Guidance for Doctors]
# problems with child safeguarding, and (8) problems with regulation and training. <br>
# an unjustified presumption of lawfulness of NPC of minors and<br>
#) failure adequately to address recent case law.<ref name="lempert2022">{{REFjournal
|last=Lempert
|first=Antony
In addition, they noted an egregiously inadequate description of the male [[foreskin]] and its functions.<ref name="lempert2022"/>
The 2019 BMA Guidance for members on non-therapeutic circumcision of minors was withdrawn in Feburary 2025. A new guidance for treatment of children and young people under 16 has been published. Updated information regarding non-therapeutic circumcision of young people is now contained in Chapter 15.<ref>{{REFdocument
|title=Ethics toolkit: Children and young people under 16
|url=https://www.bma.org.uk/media/swsfdkbw/children-and-young-people-under-16-toolkit.pdf
|contribution=
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|publisher=British Medical Association
|format=PDF
|date=2025-02
|accessdate=2025-02-27
}}</ref>
==Symposia==
* The [[Fourteenth International Symposium]] on Genital Autonomy and Children's Rights convened at the {{UNI|University of Keele|KU}}, Keele, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom on September 14-16, 2016.
==A source of British intactivist organisations== * [[15 Square]] is a registered charity that provides information and aid==to parents and both [[intact]] and [[circumcised]] males. The name refers to the approximate area of the adult male [[foreskin]] in square inches. 15 Square is based in Stone, Staffordshire.
* [[15 SquareNational Secular Society]] is a registered charity advocates separation of church and state. It has taken the position that provides information and aid religion does not provide authority to parents and both violate a child's [[intacthuman rights]] and by not medically indicated [[circumcisedcircumcision]] males. The <ref name refers to the approximate area of the adult male [[foreskin]] in square inches="nss2025-01-28">{{REFweb |url=https://www.secularism. 15 Square is based in Stone, Staffordshireorg.uk/news/2025/01/judge-and-parents-call-for-boys-to-be-protected-from-circumcision |title=Judge and parents call for boys to be protected from circumcision |last= |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=National Secular Society |date=2025-01-17 |accessdate=2025-01-28}}</ref>
==Circumcision deaths==
Gairdner (1949) reported 16 deaths per year.<ref name="gairdner1949" /> [[Death ]] from circumcision still occurs.
* Amitai Moshe, seven-days-old, stopped breathing and died after having been [[circumcised ]] by a ''[[mohel]]'' (2007), who was a member of the [http://www.initiationsociety.net/ Initiation Society], at [https://www.goldersgreenshul.org.uk/ Golders Green Synagogue] in North London. It was thought that the infant had cardiac arrest, perhaps brought on by the [[Pain| painful circumcision]].<ref name="beckford2007">{{REFnews
|title=Police investigate baby's death after circumcision
|url=httphttps://www.cirp.org/news/dailytelegraph20072007/2007-02-16/16_dailytelegraph.php
|last=Beckford
|first=Martin
}}</ref>
* Goodluck Caubergs, four-weeks-old, bled to death in Oldham after Grace Adeleye [[circumcised ]] him in April 2010. Adeleye was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence at Manchester Crown Court.<ref>{{REFnews
|title=Grace Adeleye guilty of killing baby in botched circumcision
|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-20733674
* Boma Oruitemeka: Death by circumcision, severe hemorrhage. 1990, London, England, United Kingdom.
==Foreskin information from the National Health Service==
The National Health Service at Alder Hey has created a website with information about the [[foreskin]] for patients, parents and healthcare professionals.<ref>{{REFweb
|url=https://4skin-health.alderhey.nhs.uk/
|title=Information for patients, parents and healthcare professionals
|last=Kenny
|first=
|init=S
|author-link=Simon Kenny
|publisher=NHS Alder Hey
|date=
|accessdate=2025-02-21
}}</ref>
==Conclusion==
The incidence of non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] of boys in the United Kingdom has been substantially reduced from its former peaks in the 1930s and early 1940s. Non-therapeutic circumcision of boys remains lawful provided that both parents grant consent. The practice seems to be concentrated among ethnic minorities. Ethical and [[human rights]] concerns about the surgery persist. Non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] usually is not covered by the NHS, so parents must find a private medical or non-medical operator such as a [[mohel]] to perform the [[foreskin]] [[amputation]] and must pay the fee out of pocket as [[third-party payment]] is not available. Given the recent legal cautions uttered by the BMA,<ref name="bma2019" /> it may not be easy to find a medical practitioner willing to accept the risk. The NHS announced in November 2022 that it would no longer perform the 23,000 circumcisions that it had been performing every year.<ref name="warren2022">{{REFweb |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11410577/Circumcisions-tummy-tucks-liposuction-operations-stop-funded-NHS.html |title=Circumcisions, tummy tucks and liposuction are among 13 operations which will stop being funded by the NHS in a 'crackdown' on wasteful spending in a bid to save £2bn a year |last=Warren |first=Jessica |publisher=Daily Mail |date=2022-11-09 |accessdate=2023-04-07}}</ref> The BMA (2019) reports reported that the NHS therapeutically circumcises about 10,000 boys under 18-years-of-age per year.<ref name="bma2019">{{REFdocument
|title=Non-therapeutic male circumcision (NTMC) of children – practical guidance for doctors
|url=https://www.bma.org.uk/media/1847/bma-non-therapeutic-male-circumcision-of-children-guidance-2019.pdf
|date=2019
|accessdate=2021-09-10
}}</ref> Professor [[Simon Kenny]], (2021) the leading doctor at [https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/ Alder Hey Children's Hospital], has published a new guidance regarding child circumcision.<ref name="kenny2021">{{REFweb
|url=https://4skin-health.alderhey.nhs.uk/
|title=Information for patients, parents and healthcare professionals
|last=Kenny
|first=
|init=S
|author-link=Simon Kenny
|publisher=NHS Alder Hey
|date=
|accessdate=2025-02-21
}}</ref> The Daily Mail (2022) alleged that 1/2 of the 10,000 NHS [[circumcision|circumcisions]] of boys are unnecessary.<ref>{{REFnews
|title=Is the NHS carrying out thousands of unnecessary circumcisions on teenage boys? New report shows irreversible surgery is carried out 10,000 times per year
|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-10554847/Is-NHS-carrying-thousands-unnecessary-circumcisions-teenage-boys.html
|last=Ennals
|first=Ethan
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=The Daily Mail
|website=
|date=2022-03-01
|accessdate=2023-05-23
|format=
|quote=The analysis also found up to half of the boys who underwent medical circumcision at some trusts were under five, an age at which doctors agree the procedure is almost always unnecessary.
}}</ref>
<youtube>v=1mrAZnijYcc</youtube>
=== Great Britain - History of Foreskin and Circumcision === <youtube>v=OuDiIHRqEVA</youtube> === Why my penis is in constant pain - BBC stories === <youtube>v=rXDoezKLZjc</youtube>===British Circumcision Debate - Should Human Rights Outweigh Religious Rights===<youtube>v=I4-r0hxChi0</bryoutube>
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[15 Square]]
* [[Genital Autonomy]]
* [[Initiation Society]]
* [[Men Do Complain]]
* [[Secular Medical Forum]]
{{LINKS}}
* {{URLwikipedia|United_Kingdom|United Kingdom}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://intactamerica.org/cultures-that-reject-circumcision/
|title=Cultures That Reject Circumcision—And Why They’re Right
|last=Alissa
|first=Kristel
|init=
|author-link=Kristel Alissa
|publisher=Intact America
|date=2025-02-23
|accessdate=2025-05-08
}}
{{REF}}
[[Category:Male circumcision]]
[[Category:Country]]
[[Category:English-speaking nation]]
[[Category:History]]
[[Category:Statistics]]
[[Category:UK]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[de:Vereinigtes Königreich]]