This tool is to be used by social workers when reflecting on FGM and other harmful practices (e.g breast flattening or child abuse linked to faith or belief) cases. Social workers should use this tool to reflect on their practice throughout a case. Social workers should aim to use this tool prior to supervision with their manager, and on an ongoing basis to then discuss within regular supervisions.
Section: Harmful Practices
Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls
This strategy, which was originally published in 2014 and has now been updated, provides a framework to help us do that. It was developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA in association with a wide range of partners from public and third sector organisations. This updated version has been supported by further engagement with children’s organisations. We are immensely grateful to all those organisations for their support, and looking forward to working with them in implementing Equally Safe’s vision.
Breast Ironing in Cameroon A harmful practice restricting sexuality or a means to protect the girl child from harm
The thesis presents the diversity in lived experiences of breast ironing and concludes that it is a practice with many meanings. It cannot simply be labelled a harmful practice, it needs also be understood as a means to protect the girl child from harm. Thus, breast ironing is a practice that seeks to protect the girl by aiming to decrease significations of femininity that breasts invokes. This in turn means that breast ironing is a practice that ultimately seeks to decrease the level at which the girl child is identified with femininity.
Introducing the Practice of Breast Ironing as a Human Rights Issue in Cameroon
A comprehensive look at the literature on breast ironing and legislation to protect children, especially young girls, in Cameroon. “It examined its legal framework to determine whether the obligations vested on it by international human rights instruments have been translated into national policies” concluding that no measures have been taken to curb the practice.
Breast Ironing: A harmful practice that has been secret for to long
This research presents information on breast ironing from the perspective of a Cameroonian NGO working to reduce violence against women and girls. The research calls for the practice to be recognised as female to female violence.
Culture and Faith question guide for professionals
This question guide can be used by multi-agency professionals to explore culture, faith, or belief with families within a holistic assessment of risk in any case of child protection.
It is important to make consideration to an individual and family’s home context as child-rearing beliefs and practices have strong associations with an individual’s culture, faith or belief, socioeconomic status, and immigration background. In order to understand a family holistically, it is important to consider parenting practices, and the ways in which culture, faith or belief has influenced an individual’s parenting. One way to do this is to ask families about their backgrounds.
Community Consultation on Harmful Practices (Barnet)
The National FGM Centre was commissioned by Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership to obtain community member’s views and attitudes about a range of harmful practices. This report features the findings.
COVID-19 and Gender Based Violence
An infographic highlighting the link between COVID-19 and gender based violence including domestic abuse and access to services.
Breast Flattening Leaflet
This leaflet can be downloaded and contains information about Breast Flattening (ironing) in the UK context. This leaflet can be used by professionals as well to understand what the risks and indicators may be.
Breast Ironing Factsheet
This fact sheet covers:
- What Breast Ironing is, prevalence and reasons for practice
- The law
- Risks and Indicators