UK clamps down on ‘breast ironing’
The practice is common in some West African families, charity leader says
Breast ironing — where a young girl’s breasts are compressed to stop them developing — is child abuse and could lead to 10 years in jail, UK prosecutors say.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it issued new guidance to give victims, police and prosecutors the confidence to sentence those who perform breast ironing, which is designed to stop adolescent girls attracting male attention.
It is most prevalent in West African communities.
“Our message is simple: breast ironing is child abuse,” said Jaswant Narwal, a chief crown prosecutor.
