The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published updated guidance for England and Wales that classifies circumcision as a potentially harmful practice but stops short of labelling it child abuse, following objections from Jewish and Muslim groups.
Earlier plans to include circumcision alongside dowry abuse, witchcraft and female genital mutilation in guidance on honour-based abuse were dropped after the Guardian revealed the proposals. Instead, the CPS has placed a similar section in its guidance on offences against the person, stating that circumcision can become harmful when performed by unqualified practitioners or in non-sterile conditions.
Prosecutors are now advised to consider child cruelty offences under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 or assault offences under the Offences against the Person Act 1861. The guidance also references separate child abuse protocols.
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, convener of Reform Beit Din, welcomed the revised wording, saying it recognised circumcision as an important practice for many faiths. Jonathan Arkush of Milah UK praised the CPS for correcting what he called misleading early draft language.
However, the National Secular Society argued the guidance rightly maintains that circumcision may constitute child abuse, citing cases of harm. A father pursuing a complaint over a botched circumcision called the guidance a positive step but too vague.
