Young girls’ breasts are gradually injured in breast ironing, sometimes known as breast flattening, to flatten them and postpone their growth. Sometimes, they are stopped from expanding using an elastic belt or binder.
Usually begun with the first symptoms of puberty, breast ironing is most typically carried out by female relatives. Generally speaking, the abuser mistakenly believes they are acting in the child’s best interests. They think flattening the breasts will help the infant to be less “womanly.” They believe this will enable the girl to remain in school and shield her from abuse, rape, kidnapping, and early forced marriage.
Serious medical problems include:
- abscesses—a painful collection of pus under the skin—and cysts—fluid-filled lumps beneath the skin—which can be brought on by breast ironing
- Tingling tissue injury
- Infection discharge of milk breasts starting to show somewhat distinct forms or sizes
- High fever; the total loss of either one or both breasts
Though there is no particular legislation in the UK about breast ironing, it is a kind of child abuse.
Find out the indicators of this abuse, what you should do if you worry about someone, and how to obtain treatment should you have been impacted.
Should someone report a case involving the practice of breast ironing or worry about using a breast binder, police will evaluate it case-by-case.
Signs and symptoms of breast ironing
Many indicators point to a girl perhaps engaged in breast ironing. Including:
- Avoiding tests for medical professionals
- Walking or sitting hunched over, some girls may ask for help but may not say precisely what the problem is because she is embarrassed or scared of unusual behaviour after time away from school or college.
- Not wanting to get undressed in front of anyone, they have difficulty lifting their arms.
Should one be worried about someone? What should one do?
- Call 999 straight away if you believe someone is in immediate danger. If you have a hearing or speech handicap, utilise our textphone service at 18000 or text us on 999 if you pre-registered with the emergency SMS system.
Not an emergency; kindly contact us in any one of these other ways:
- Our non-emergency, 24/7 phone is 101. If you have a speech or hearing disability, utilise our textphone service on 18001 101.
- See a police station to speak with an officer personally; contact the NSPCC to talk with a professional practitioner; get in touch with the children’s social care staff at your local council; use CrimeStoppers privately and anonymously.
- If you are a child, you could also talk to another adult, a teacher, or a friend you trust.
- If you are a professional working with children, remember that you owe it to Children’s Social Care via your local council to forward your concerns.
Support organisations
The National FGM Centre
A partnership between Barnardo’s and the Local Government Association (LGA) to improve FGM services.
The Schools Charter
Safeguarding children from sexual violence, CSE and harmful practices.
Came Women and Girls Development Organisation (CAWOGIDO)
A charity raising awareness and information on breast ironing.
28 Too Many
An international charity working to end FGM through research and local initiatives.
Childline
A free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.