Back in July 2013, a 3-month-old baby boy in England was circumcised without his mother's consent while on a visit to his paternal grandparents, who are Muslim. His mom didn't even know the procedure had taken place until she opened her son's diaper later that day and received the shock of a lifetime.
"I opened the nappy and I ended up having to leave the room because I felt hysterical," she told the BBC. "It was just awful really, it wasn't very nice, there was all blood there and stuff."
I cannot even imagine! Yes, my own son is circumcised. But circumcision isn't as common in England as it is here. And even so, it is NOT OK that this happened without parental consent! Whether or not to get your son circumcised is such a personal decision, and taking that choice away from a parent just seems completely unrighteous to me.
The boy's mom had originally contacted social services, and then police, in November 2014. There was an inquiry, but it was determined that the matter was not a criminal one. But police later reopened the investigation after the mother—who believes the circumcision amounts to male genital mutilation (MGM)—hired a human rights lawyer and got some help from the anti-circumcision group Men Do Complain.
Now, at last, three suspects, including a family GP, have been arrested. But in the meantime, the mom says her poor little boy, now 4, has suffered recurring physical problems including inflammation and infections.
"I am deeply hurt by what has happened to my son and the suffering I have been forced to witness," the mom explained. "No amount of money in the world could make right what's been done, and my only hope is to raise awareness of MGM and reveal the true suffering this procedure really inflicts on tiny babies. My life will never be the same again and I dread my son growing up and learning what happened to him."
