15 Square have received thousands of messages from men and their families. Some of these people have been physically and psychologically affected.
Here we hope to raise awareness by sharing these stories. Together we can help people understand that there are consequences to circumcision. If you would like 15 Square to share your story anonymously, you can find more information here. We will be adding more videos in the coming weeks, and we sincerely thank everyone who has written in.
Lesley Roberts - A is for Alex - Alex Hardy's story
Thank you to our brilliant ambassador, Lesley Roberts who has been brave enough to share Alex’s story.
Alex Hardy’s story presented by his mother Lesley Roberts.
Since the tragic suicide of her much loved eldest son, Alex, in November 2017, Lesley now spends her time publishing articles about her son. ‘My son killed himself after circumcision’ ‘As the mum of 3 sons, I had never heard of the medical condition ‘phimosis’ until the horrific night of my son’s death when I received his last email.
He explained that he had been suffering in silence with this painful condition and was advised to have a circumcision. Alex was 21 and knew immediately that this had been a mistake.
My dear son lived for 2 more years with pain and dysfunction before taking his own life aged 23.
15 Square Stories - A Parents Perspective
A parents perspective:
“I just wish we had asked more questions”
“no one gave us any information about the physical and psychological trauma that it would cause our boys”
15 Square Stories - Circumcised at 46
Circumcised at 46:
“The only people who have any idea how badly damaged you are, are other circumcised men”
“I definitely made a HUGE personal error proceeding with the operation”
15 Square Stories - No Dignity
One man recounts his memory of undergoing circumcision as a young child when he was around 4-5 years old.
“If there is a theme to my memories it is the lack of dignity”
“a bit like farm animals lined up to be branded”