Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of female genital mutilation that may be upsetting for some readers.
Disturbing news yesterday with reports a father in Sydney has been charged with having his then nine-month-old baby daughter allegedly circumcised overseas in 2012.
It was only six months later that the mother realised what her partner had done when she took her baby to the doctor.
The NSW Child abuse squad were alerted and man was charged with aiding/abetting/counseling or procurement of female genital mutilation.
He was given conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan 28.
However it has now come to light that the practice is much more common than we know in Australia, and by Australians travelling overseas.
In a disturbing interview on ABC radio, the NSW Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said that toughening the law on this hideous crime was not an option.
She said community engagement and education was needed to prevent more young girls being targeted.
“It’s so easy to hide within a community that condones it, within a household that condones it,” Ms Goward said.
Anecdotal evidence showed the practice was “more common than the reports would suggest”.
Top Comments
All genital mutilation, male or female, should only be carried out with the consent of the genitals owner, that is at adulthood.
there are exceptions however, as when the foreskin will not retract on young boys, then a circumcision is necessary
Male circumcision is NOT genital mutilation. It is permitted by law and performed under strict medical guidelines and condition. Patents make the decision to have their son circumcised based on their belief that it is best for the long term health of their son, not to deny him sexual pleasure or any such reason.
A recent article by a medical professional (a oncologist I think from memory) showed a dramatic rise if cases of penile cancer which correlated to a fall in circumcision rates.
Of course every parent hasthe right to make decisions on behalf of their child...it's called parental responsibility. Don't agree with male circumcision, don't have it done to your son, simple. But it is ludicrous to compare male to female circumcision!!
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
There have been many things that were/are legal, but that doesn't make them morally correct.
I have seen pre-teens admitted to hospital following traditional procedures that can only be described as a ring barking technique. There are still areas where sub-incision occurs in this country. Take a look at a picture of Chambers Pillar to get an idea what that looks like. They are legally performed in this country. The word circumcision encompasses a variety of practices no matter what gender is being affected. Yet we are only outraged when it occurs to females.
I have heard that it took about 35 yrs to put a stop to foot-binding. Education is the key here! However fgm has been going on for a lot longer than footbinding did, it beggars belief how any human could think this was necessary, and in no way i believe can it be compared to male circumsision, it is virtually like castration, becoming a eunoch.
35 years! WTF spose it is changing generations of thinking and belief