In Australia circumcision rates are in decline similar to the United Kingdom, the USA (in general), Canada and many other European countries. This is in line with public and medical opinion as health authorities get closer and closer to acknowledging the dangers.
Public pressure is coming from human rights advocates. Each year more and more groups appear that promote individual autonomy and consent whilst pointing out problems with circumcision.
Royal Australasian College of Physicians –
“After reviewing the currently available evidence, the RACP believes that the frequency of diseases modifiable by circumcision, the level of protection offered by circumcision and the complication rates of circumcision do not warrant routine infant circumcision in Australia and New Zealand.”
British Medical Association –
“As with other therapeutic procedures, unnecessarily invasive procedures should not be used where alternative, less invasive techniques are equally effective and available. It is important that doctors keep up to date, and ensure that any decisions to undertake an invasive procedure are based on the best available evidence. Therefore, to circumcise solely for therapeutic reasons where medical research has shown other techniques to be at least as effective and less invasive… would be unethical and inappropriate.”
These institutions are slow in updating their policies and advice in line with changing public sentiment and the mounting evidence of harm. That being said, change is happening.
You can read more about the circumcision debate in the UK here.
Activism in Australia –
To focus on the social movements multiple Australian activist movements are tying to spread awareness nationally and worldwide. Foreskin Revolution is one such movement and they are spreading awareness of the harm in circumcision and the benefits in staying intact. Many organisations are starting to appear focused on the changing these outdated practices. It is interesting to see the steady support growing louder each year in the countries that once endorsed this practice as standard.
You can read an interview with the founder of Foreskin Revolution here.
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