not circumcision, but mutilation

[anya-D 8]

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia (AP) -- An Ethiopian immigrant was convicted Wednesday of the genital mutilation of his 2-year-old daughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in what was believed to be the first such criminal case in the United States.

Khalid Adem, 30, was found guilty of aggravated battery and cruelty to children. Prosecutors said he used scissors to remove his daughter's ####### in his family's Atlanta-area apartment in 2001. The child's mother, Fortunate Adem, said she did not discover it until more than a year later.

Adem, who had no criminal record, could have been sentenced to up to 40 years in prison. He held his face in his hands and wept loudly after the jury's verdict was read. (Watch how the verdict was reached, delivered -- 1:19 )

During her father's trial, the girl, now 7, clutched a teddy bear as she testified on videotape that her father "cut me on my private part."

Federal law specifically bans the practice of genital mutilation, but many states do not have a law addressing it. Georgia lawmakers, with the support of the girl's mother, passed an anti-mutilation law last year. But Adem was not tried under that law since it did not exist when his daughter was cut.

During the trial, Adem testified he never circumcised his daughter or asked anyone else to do so. He said he grew up in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and considers the practice more prevalent in rural areas.

Adem's attorney acknowledged that the girl had been cut, but implied that the family of the girl's mother, who immigrated from South Africa, may have been responsible.

The Adems divorced three years ago, and attorney Mark Hill suggested that the couple's daughter was coached to testify against her father by her mother, who has full custody of the child.

Adem, who cried throughout the trial and during his testimony, was asked what he thought of someone who believes in the practice. He replied: "The word I can say is 'mind in the gutter.' He is a moron."

The practice crosses ethnic and cultural lines and is not tied to a particular religion. Activists say it is intended to deny women sexual pleasure. In its most extreme form, the ####### and parts of the ####### are removed and the ####### that remain are stitched together.

Since 2001, the State Department estimates that up to 130 million women worldwide have undergone circumcision.

Knives, razors or even sharp stones are usually used, according to a 2001 department report. The tools are frequently not sterilized, and often, many girls are circumcised at the same ceremony, leading to infection.

It is unknown how many girls have died from the procedure, either during the cutting or from infections, or years later in childbirth. Nightmares, depression, shock and feelings of betrayal are common psychological side effects, according to a 2001 federal report.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/01/female.c...=rss_topstories

[almaty 19]

sick and sad

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

sick and sad

agreed

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Sadly, this is practiced in many parts of the world still. Ethiopia being one of those places.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's peculiar that for one, it's a cultural practice to deny women sexual pleasure and two, that it is the father doing the circumcision. I don't undertand it...poor girl.

Sadly, this is practiced in many parts of the world still. Ethiopia being one of those places.

Why do they want to deny women sexual pleasure?

[MrsWhizz 0]

I don't anger easily, but GAWD! That man needs his ####### sawed off with a dull plastic knife!

[anya-D 8]

I don't anger easily, but GAWD! That man needs his ####### sawed off with a dull plastic knife!

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

Why do they want to deny women sexual pleasure?

in my best english accent - because he's a selfish bahstad!

[Alex+R 0]

Thanks for posting this Anya. The fact that this is being done in the U.S. and even my town, where theoretically we should be able to stop it, bothers me a lot. I hope this deters the community who does it here in Minneapolis.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

..., that it is the father doing the circumcision.

According to what I've heard about this practice, it is NOT the father doing it. In fact, no man is supposedly present for this procedure. The guy may very well be sent up the river for something he actually did not do.

[Veiled Princess 1]

How very sad if this part is true

During the trial, Adem testified he never circumcised his daughter or asked anyone else to do so. He said he grew up in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and considers the practice more prevalent in rural areas.

Adem's attorney acknowledged that the girl had been cut, but implied that the family of the girl's mother, who immigrated from South Africa, may have been responsible.

The Adems divorced three years ago, and attorney Mark Hill suggested that the couple's daughter was coached to testify against her father by her mother, who has full custody of the child.

It's sad for the girl regardless of who did it.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Just a thought........ but dont many americans do the same to their sons.... chop off bits of it.... all in the name of being clean!!!!!

IMO nobody has the right to cut off any part of any child's genitals wether its done in a hospital, clinc or house....

Kezzie

[Alex+R 0]

Just a thought........ but dont many americans do the same to their sons.... chop off bits of it.... all in the name of being clean!!!!!

IMO nobody has the right to cut off any part of any child's genitals wether its done in a hospital, clinc or house....

Kezzie

Whether or not circumcision is a good thing is kind of different from the issue of female genital mutilation. Circumcized men can still enjoy sex.

[MrsWhizz 0]

Just a thought........ but dont many americans do the same to their sons.... chop off bits of it.... all in the name of being clean!!!!!

IMO nobody has the right to cut off any part of any child's genitals wether its done in a hospital, clinc or house....

Kezzie

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Just a thought........ but dont many americans do the same to their sons.... chop off bits of it.... all in the name of being clean!!!!!

IMO nobody has the right to cut off any part of any child's genitals wether its done in a hospital, clinc or house....

Kezzie

Kezzie, Jewish or Muslim circumcision of males (admittedly, some who are neither also do this in hospitals) only removes about 1/8" of foreskin.

Male circumcision does actually have some benefits, such as a somewhat reduced rate of penile (in males) and cervical (in females) cancer.