Male Circumcision

AMENDMENT

This chapter was updatedl in April 2023.

1. Introduction

Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. The procedure is usually requested for social, cultural or religious reasons (e.g. by families who practice Judaism or Islam). There are parents who request circumcision for assumed medical benefits.

There is no requirement in law for professionals undertaking male circumcision to be medically trained or to have proven expertise. Traditionally, religious leaders or respected elders may conduct this practice.

2. Circumcision for Therapeutic / Medical Purposes

The British Association of Paediatric Surgeons advises that there is rarely a clinical indication for circumcision. Doctors should be aware of this and reassure parents accordingly.

Where parents request circumcision for their son for assumed medical reasons, it is recommended that circumcision should be performed by or under the supervision of doctors trained in children's surgery in premises suitable for surgical procedures.

Doctors / health professionals should ensure that any parents seeking circumcision for their son in the belief that it confers health benefits are fully informed that there is a lack of professional consensus as to current evidence demonstrating any benefits. The risks / benefits to the child must be fully explained to the parents and to the young man himself, if Fraser Competent.

The medical harms or benefits have not been unequivocally proven except to the extent that there are clear risks of harm if the procedure is done inexpertly.

3. Non-Therapeutic Circumcision

Male circumcision that is performed for any reason other than physical clinical need is termed non-therapeutic circumcision.

The legal position on male circumcision is untested and therefore remains unclear. Nevertheless, professionals may assume that the procedure is lawful provided that:

  • It is performed competently, in a suitable environment, reducing risks of infection, cross infection and contamination;
  • It is believed to be in the child's best interests;
  • There is valid consent from family / parents and the child, if old enough, is Fraser competent.

If doctors or other professionals are in any doubt about the legality of their actions, they should seek legal advice.

5. Principles of Good Practice

The welfare of the child should be paramount, and all professionals must act in the child's best interests. Children who are able to express views about circumcision should always be involved in the decision-making process:

  • Even where they do not decide for themselves, the views that children express are important in determining what is in their best interests;
  • Parental preference alone does not constitute sufficient grounds for performing a surgical procedure on a child unable to express his own view. Parental preference must be weighed in terms of the child's interests;
  • When the courts have confirmed that the child's lifestyle and likely upbringing are relevant factors to take into account. Each individual case needs to be considered on its own merits.

An assessment of best interests in relation to non-therapeutic circumcision should include consideration of:

  • The child's own ascertainable wishes, feelings and values;
  • The child's ability to understand what is proposed and weigh up the alternatives;
  • The child's potential to participate in the decision, if provided with additional support or explanations;
  • The child's physical and emotional needs;
  • The risk of harm or suffering for the child;
  • The views of parents and family;
  • The implications for the child and family of performing, and not performing, the procedure;
  • Relevant information about the child and family's religious or cultural background.

Consent for circumcision is valid only where the people (or person) giving consent have the authority to do so and understand the implications (including that it is a non-reversible procedure) and risks. Where people with parental responsibility for a child disagree about whether he should be circumcised, the child should not be circumcised without the leave of a court.

6. Doctors' Response

Doctors are under no obligation to comply with a request to circumcise a child and circumcision is not a service which is provided free of charge. Nevertheless, some doctors and hospitals are willing to provide circumcision without charge rather than risk the procedure being carried out in unhygienic conditions.

Poorly performed circumcisions have legal implications for the doctor responsible. In responding to requests to perform male circumcision, doctors should follow the guidance issued by the:

For further guidance, the LSCP has provided an Aide Memoir for medical professionals. Please see your organisation’s internal systems to access this document.

7. Recognition of Harm

Circumcision may constitute significant harm to a child if the procedure was undertaken in such a way that he:

  • Acquires an infection as a result of neglect;
  • Sustains physical functional or cosmetic damage;
  • Suffered physical, sexual or emotional harm/psychological trauma from the way in which the procedure was carried out;
  • Suffers emotional harm or psychological trauma from not having been sufficiently informed and consulted, or not having his wishes taken into account. 

See Responding to Concerns of Abuse and Neglect.

Significant Harm is defined "as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children."

Harm may stem from the fact that clinical practice was incompetent (including lack of anaesthesia) and / or that clinical equipment and facilities are inadequate, unhygienic etc.

The Professionals most likely to become aware that a boy is at risk of, or has already suffered, harm from circumcision are Health Professionals, (GPs, health visitors, A&E staff or Children & Young People Nurses) and Childminding, Day care and Teaching staff.

Should any Professional have concerns when presented with a child believed to be suffering complications from a circumcision procedure, they should:

  • Demonstrate professional curiosity of the information shared relating to when and where the procedure was carried out, and by whom;
  • Consider whether appropriate anaesthetic, pain relief and hygiene requirements were employed;
  • Consider physical presentation of the wound, i.e. is there evidence of infection or general ill health;
  • If the child is unwell, consider whether the parents/carers delayed seeking treatment;
  • Consider whether or not the appropriate aftercare arrangements were in place;
  • Determine whether or not the family is already subject to Social Care involvement or if the Practitioner is aware of any other Professionals' concerns in relation to the child/family;
  • Consider if psychological support may be required for the child and how this may be provided.

8. Multi-Agency Response

If a professional in any agency becomes aware, through something a child discloses or another means, that the child has been or may be harmed through male circumcision, a referral must be made to Children's Social Care in line with the Safeguarding Referrals Procedure. Children's Social Care should assess the risk of harm to other male children in the same family, including unborn children.

9. Role of Community / Religious Leaders

Community and religious leaders should take a lead in the absence of approved professionals and develop safeguards in practice. This could include setting standards around hygiene, advocating and promoting the practice in a medically controlled environment and outlining best practice if complications arise during the procedures.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Safety Advice on Circumcision for Baby Boys Leaflet