Know Your Rights!



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See also: Global Survey of Circumcision Harm (2012 to present)

Although laws will vary from state to state, certain individuals listed below may initiate litigation against those responsible for a particular abuse. NOHARMM can help you to find an attorney if you feel you or a loved one have been wronged by or suffered genital abuse by a medical facility, physician, or non-physician.

Circumcised teens have a one-year window of opportunity for litigation that begins when they turn 18. Advance Children's Rights details how male teens are in a unique position to take advantage of this opportunity.

Adult males who discover they've been harmed by circumcision. Physical, sexual or psychological harm must be credibly documented by a health care or mental health professional and litigation must be initiated shortly after discovery of such harm. See: How to Identify Circumcision Damage in the Adult Male. Consult with a knowledgeable attorney for further assistance. Example: Youve been having difficulties with erection or orgasm due to progressive sensitivity loss in your penis. It affects you sexually and/or psychologically. You document these problems with a urologist, sexologist or therapist. Today you discover that these were likely caused by a surgical complication from your circumcision or that your circumcision caused progressive keratinization and sensitivity loss. You may have from six months to two years from today (depending on your state laws) to sue your medical or religious circumciser, birth hospital, and/or health insurer that paid for the circumcision.

Parents whose child is in imminent danger of being circumcised. Often, parents disagree bitterly about whether or not their child should be circumcised. Unfortunately, most states require only one parental signature (usually the mothers) to authorize circumcision. A parent or guardian who feels that circumcision will not be in the best interests of the child may file an injunction to prevent the circumcision. Sometimes just notifying a doctor or hospital that you will file an injunction is enough to cause them to refrain. With others, it may take an actual injunction from a court. Short of an injunction, you can complete and sign a Non-Circumcision Notification Form and present it to the hospital staff upon admission.

Parents whose sons were circumcised without parental consent. In most states, circumcision requires signed consent from only one parent. If no consent was given by either parent, you may have a good case to bring legal action against the hospital and physician.

Parents whose sons suffered circumcision complications. Complications of varying degrees can result from a circumcision that was done below the "standard of care." Immediate assistance from a knowledgeable attorney is strongly recommended.

Parents of intact sons whose foreskin was prematurely retracted by force by a doctor or nurse. Ignorance is rampant among medical people about penile and foreskin development. Many still believe that the foreskin must be retractable at birth or by ages 3 to 5. They often diagnose this non-retractability as "phimosis" and will either suggest circumcision or try to forcibly retract the foreskin. Some also advise parents to retract their sons foreskin during bathing. All of this is inappropriate care that can cause your son a great deal of pain and trauma, as well as damage your sons penis and lead to further complications. Anatomical research confirms that while the vast majority of intact boys will have a fully retractable foreskin by ages 11 to 15, there may still be a rare chance that your sons foreskin might not be retractable until age 18. Dont let health care professionals "rush Nature" and risk damaging your son. If they do, seek immediate assistance from a knowledgeable attorney.