No prosecutions

No one has ever been prosecuted under the FGM legislation.
Almost all cultures that practice the genital cutting of children cut both sexes. Female circumcision will continue as long as society tolerates male circumcision.

Female circumcision and male circumcision are always compared selectively. The very worst form of female circumcision is selected and contrasted with “normal” male circumcision. Females are protected by law from even a ritual pinprick that removes no tissue and quite right too. Men Do Complain believes it is right to protect females and all children from any unnecessary interference. Sadly the argument that all children should be treated equally works both ways, those in favour of cutting females say, with some justification, that if you tolerate the cutting of  boys then you should tolerate the cutting of girls.

There are of course differences between male and female circumcision, although the tissues most commonly excised are similar in structure and function. The fixation on the differences between male and female circumcision loses sight of the greatest similarity, which is that all non-therapeutic genital cutting is an assault if there is no valid consent to the procedure. No one would argue that a black eye and a cut lip are the same; yet all would agree that if an adult hit a child in the face and left an injury then it was the blow that defined the offence not the nature of the resulting injury.

In an age where children’s rights are increasingly recognised, equal opportunities promoted, and human rights incorporated into our legislation it is difficult to see the non-therapeutic cutting of children’s genitals as anything other than a crime. All children should be protected from the inappropriate activities of adults.

 

MDC supporters took the message that no children should be discriminated against to the Department of Health. Whitehall was also the venue for another demonstration which provided a stream of people on a very cold afternoon. Ninety seven leaflets were handed out and some new friends were found among the passers by.  The young man in the picture below certainly noticed our presence and asked if he could be photographed with Richard in the bloody overalls. The general public seems to get our message it is the politicians and institutions that are so very resistant to a change that is long overdue.

7 thoughts on “No prosecutions”

  1. The ridiculous and archaic practice of cutting off parts of children’s genitals WILL be made illegal – of that I am certain. It’s just a matter of time. Well done MDC for taking action to speed up the process. I am sorry I couldn’t be with you to lend support.

  2. It was an honour to be standing there side by side with my fellow intactivists to raise awareness of this issue. What a world of double standards we live in. We are constantly being bombarded by the noise of those who vilify paedophiles and others who harm children, whilst the mass sexual abuse of minor boys by way of elective circumcision continues in the UK, as it always has done, without legal challenge.

  3. It was great to be present with both old and new friends as we proffered MDC leaflets to the
    general public.
    I was glad that we met with lots of curiosity and polite thanks from most of the recipients which made whole event very worthwhile.
    Promoting power to intactivism!
    Iris

  4. Thank you to you courageous people who are willing to stand up for the rights of the child. One day, everyone will recognize what you already know: circumcision is harmful, irreversible, denies the right of a child to his own body, and denies the right to choose–or not–ones own religion. Karl Menninger said, “What we do to children, they will do to society,” and Gandhi said, “If we are ever to have real peace we must begin with the children.” I say, “Thank you for protecting children, the society in which they live, and for helping to bring us real peace to the world!”

  5. Sorry I couldn’t make it on Saturday, but I do make phone calls and write letters where I can. Is there a forum where this group discusses ideas?

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