Featured Investigations

The African ritualistic ‘tradition’ of breast ironing involves the physical mutilation of pubescent girls. Through a months-long investigation, I revealed that it also takes place unhindered on UK soil. The publication of the investigation led to more victims speaking out, triggered debates in parliament, and led to the Crown Prosecution Service changing its legal guidelines, with perpetrators now facing up to 10 years in prison.

The investigation documents cases of rape, sexual harassment, workplace exploitation and other abuses faced in Israel by women who have fled war in Ukraine, seeking a safe haven. The abuse is sliding under the authorities’ radar — or being willfully ignored — while the perpetrators remain free to commit further crimes.

The investigation exposes a multi-million-dollar industry in which foreign workers are compelled to pay ‘placement fees’ to employment ‘brokers’. This systemic extortion has been ongoing for almost three decades, but not a single inquiry by the authorities has resulted in criminal charges.