A hidden form of abuse that is known as 'breast ironing,' where girls as young as 10 have their breasts hit with hot objects to disguise the onset of puberty, could be taking place in the UK.
The abuse is a traditional practice from Cameroon that has been created to deter unwanted male attention, pregnancy and rape by delaying the signs that a girl is becoming a woman, the Independent reported.
According to experts, several thousand Cameroonians living in the UK may be practicing this very custom.
Breast ironing has been identified as one of five forgotten crimes against women by the UN and it is estimates that some 3.8 million teenagers are being affected.
As well as being painful, the practice also exposes women to health problems including abscesses, cysts, infection, tissue damage and even the disappearance of one or both breasts.
