Body modification industry facing crackdown after 'genital mutilation'

"The so-called body-modification industry in New South Wales is facing a crackdown after a Central Coast man was charged with genital mutilation over an allegedly botched procedure.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who is in discussions with the health ministry about tighter regulations, today said people who underwent extreme procedures had "some major issues going on in their head". ...

Body dysmorphic disorder [BDD] was a recognised condition that could drive people to undergo body modification, Mr Hazzard said....

"My view is that people should be required to have some sort of psychological assessment before they go and have any of these major things done to their body that puts themselves at risk," he said....

Dr Babidge told AAP plastic surgeons may seek a psychiatric opinion if they suspect a repeat client is returning due to BDD....

"Maybe there's some sort of sliding scale of how radical and permanent the procedure is going to be that whoever is the person doing it has a higher index of caution to assess that person's commitment and their understanding of the permanency of things." ..."