Introduction

Safeguarding professionals are trained to recognise many forms of abuse, but some forms can be harder to identify because they are often rooted in tradition, culture, community expectations, or long-held beliefs. These are often referred to as harmful practices.

The National FGM Centre describes harmful practices as:

“Persistent practices and behaviours that are grounded on discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, age and other grounds as well as multiple and/or intersecting forms of discrimination that often involve violence and cause physical and/or psychological harm or suffering.”

Harmful practices are serious safeguarding concerns because they deny children dignity, violate their human rights, and can have lifelong physical and emotional consequences.

For learners at MITSkills, understanding harmful practices is essential to recognising risk, responding appropriately, and protecting children from abuse that may otherwise remain hidden.

What Are Harmful Practices?

Harmful practices is an umbrella term covering a range of different forms of abuse that share common characteristics. Examples include:

• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Forced marriage
• Child marriage
• Breast flattening (breast ironing)
• Child abuse linked to faith or belief
• So-called “honour-based” abuse

Although these practices vary significantly, they share common themes:

• They often involve discrimination.
• They are frequently justified through cultural, social, or community expectations.
• They can involve physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual abuse.
• They deprive children of autonomy, dignity, and rights.
• They are often normalised within communities where they occur.

The fact that a practice is accepted within a community does not make it safe or lawful.

Culture, Faith and Safeguarding

Professionals must approach safeguarding concerns with cultural awareness and sensitivity. However, safeguarding responsibilities must always remain focused on the child’s welfare.

As highlighted throughout the safeguarding guidance:

Religion or cultural requirements do not excuse child abuse.

This does not mean challenging someone’s culture or faith. Instead, it means recognising when beliefs, traditions, or practices are causing harm to a child.

The key safeguarding question should always be:

“What does this mean for this child?”

Maintaining professional curiosity is essential.

Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief

Child abuse linked to faith or belief occurs when adults believe a child is responsible for misfortune, possessed by evil spirits, practising witchcraft, or causing harm through supernatural means.

Examples may include beliefs involving:

• Witchcraft
• Spirit possession
• Demons
• Djinns
• The evil eye
• Voodoo
• Ritual practices
• Exorcisms or “deliverance” ceremonies

Abuse may be carried out because adults genuinely believe they are protecting the child or others. However, this belief can lead to serious physical and emotional harm.

Children may experience:

• Beatings
• Burning
• Cutting
• Physical restraint
• Isolation
• Psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Sexual abuse

The effects can be severe and, in some cases, fatal.

So-Called Honour-Based Abuse

The National Police Chiefs’ Council defines honour-based abuse as:

“An incident or crime involving violence, threats, intimidation, coercion or abuse committed to protect or defend the honour of an individual, family or community.”

There is no honour in abuse, which is why safeguarding guidance often uses the term “so-called honour-based abuse.”

Victims are often subjected to abuse because they are perceived to have breached family or community expectations.

Triggers may include:

• Being in a relationship
• Having friendships considered inappropriate
• Pregnancy outside marriage
• Using social media
• LGBTQ+ identity
• Refusing an arranged marriage
• Wearing clothing viewed as unacceptable
• Being perceived as bringing shame to the family

Honour-based abuse can involve:

• Emotional abuse
• Physical violence
• Isolation
• Coercion
• Forced marriage
• Removal from the UK
• Murder (“honour killing”)

Forced Marriage

Forced marriage occurs when one or both people do not freely consent to the marriage and pressure, threats, coercion, or abuse are used to force the marriage to take place.

Keeping Children Safe in Education defines forced marriage as:

“A marriage entered into without the full and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats or any other form of coercion is used.”

Forced marriage is illegal in the UK.

It should not be confused with an arranged marriage, where family members may introduce potential partners but the individuals retain the freedom to choose whether to marry.

Indicators may include:

• Fear of upcoming holidays
• Sudden plans for extended travel abroad
• Withdrawal from education
• Declining attendance
• Significant family control
• Mental ill-health
• Running away from home
• Engagement to someone unfamiliar

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the most widely recognised harmful practices.

Keeping Children Safe in Education states:

“FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs.”

FGM is:

• A form of child abuse
• Illegal in the UK
• A serious violation of human rights
• Associated with lifelong physical and psychological consequences

FGM is most commonly carried out before puberty and may occur either in the UK or abroad.

Possible indicators that a girl may be at risk include:

• Planned extended holidays abroad
• Discussions about becoming a woman
• References to a special ceremony
• Secrecy surrounding travel arrangements

Indicators that FGM may already have occurred include:

• Difficulty sitting comfortably
• Frequent toilet use
• Urinary tract infections
• Menstrual difficulties
• Behaviour changes
• Reluctance to undergo medical examinations
• Disclosure of something they are not allowed to talk about

Breast Flattening (Breast Ironing)

Breast flattening involves using heated objects, bandages, or pressure to suppress breast development.

The National FGM Centre defines it as:

“The process during which young pubescent girls’ breasts are ironed, massaged, flattened and/or pounded down over a period of time.”

Breast flattening is a form of physical abuse.

Potential consequences include:

• Infection
• Tissue damage
• Breastfeeding difficulties
• Pain
• Psychological trauma
• Long-term health complications

Many of the indicators mirror those associated with FGM.

What Should Professionals Do?

When concerns about harmful practices arise:

• Know the signs.
• Use professional curiosity.
• Listen carefully.
• Follow safeguarding procedures.
• Report concerns immediately to the DSL.
• Take action rather than making assumptions.
• Remember mandatory reporting duties relating to FGM where applicable.

Professionals should remain confident in raising harmful practices as a possible safeguarding concern.

Conclusion

Harmful practices are hidden forms of abuse that can have devastating and lifelong consequences for children and young people.

Whether concerns relate to FGM, breast flattening, forced marriage, honour-based abuse, or abuse linked to faith or belief, safeguarding professionals must remain alert, professionally curious, and child-focused.

Culture and faith are important parts of many families’ lives, but no belief system justifies abuse.

Every child has the right to safety, dignity, and protection from harm.