British authorities may classify male circumcision as a “potential form of child abuse,” according to draft guidance shared with prosecutors, underlining “concerns” from judges and death investigators about deaths and serious harm caused by the procedure, the Guardian reported on Saturday.
The draft document by the Crown Prosecution Service on “honour-based abuse, forced marriages and harmful practices” reportedly lists male circumcision as a potential offense alongside practices such as virginity testing, hymen reconstruction surgery and exorcism rituals.
The wording of the draft, obtained by the newspaper, has alarmed some religious groups, with Jewish and Muslim leaders defending the importance of circumcision.
The CPS guidance says that unlike female genital mutilation, “there is not a specific criminal offense of carrying out male circumcision.” But the draft adds that “this can be a painful and harmful practice, if carried out incorrectly or in inappropriate circumstances. It may be a form of child abuse or an offense against the person.”
The publication of the draft has drawn outrage from Jewish and Muslim communities.
Jonathan Arkush, co-chair of Milah UK, which works to promote public understanding of Jewish male circumcision in the UK said: "We are in contact with relevant government authorities about the practice of circumcision. We are confident that the importance of this issue to our community is respected and understood by the UK government, and we will ensure any public guidance that were to be considered respects Jewish practice. Throughout, our focus is on the importance of circumcision being practiced safely for everyone, and on highlighting the robust training, regulation and safeguarding processes followed within our community, so that this essential tenet of our faith can be carried out with care and confidence."
Arkush, who is also a lawyer, acknowledged that incorrectly performed circumcision could constitute abuse but said the “stringent standards” applied by the Jewish community ensure it does not occur.
“To suggest that circumcision is in itself a harmful practice, is deeply pejorative and misplaced,” Arkush told the Guardian. “Any procedure that is carried out inappropriately or without proper controls, including piercing a child’s ears, could be a harmful practice and a possible case of child abuse.”
The Muslim Council of Britain said it supports calls for stronger protections and a system to accredit practitioners.
“Male circumcision is a lawful practice in the UK with recognized medical, religious and cultural foundations, and it should not be characterized in itself as child abuse,” the council said in a statement.
First published: 09:23, 01.11.26