Legislation targets those who exploit nursing women, shifting focus from objectification to respect.
Until recently, photographing breastfeeding women in public without their consent was entirely legal. This alarming oversight has finally been addressed, as a new law now criminalises such actions, with offenders facing up to two years in prison and potential placement on the sex offenders register. The reform is a significant victory for campaigners and a step towards reframing societal attitudes towards breastfeeding.
Julia Cooper, a mother from Manchester, spearheaded the movement after confronting a man who was photographing her nursing in a park. Despite her protests, police informed her that the lack of legal privacy protections left her powerless. The incident spurred Labour MPs, including Stella Creasy—herself photographed breastfeeding on public transport—to campaign under the banner Stop the Breast Pest.
This development highlights persistent cultural struggles. Despite its natural purpose, breastfeeding remains tangled in societal notions of breasts as inherently sexual. From Instagram's ongoing censorship of nipples to airlines requesting mothers to cover up, the discomfort around public nursing is deeply ingrained.
Writer Kate Wills reflects on her own experiences, ranging from stares and unsolicited advice to awkward comments like, "You're brave!" While never photographed, she empathises with the vulnerability many mothers feel. "It’s mind-blowing that showing a fraction of a breast—often not even the nipple—can provoke such reactions," Wills says.
Normalising breastfeeding in public requires dismantling harmful perceptions that reduce women's bodies to objects. Wills recalls how self-conscious she felt in the early days of nursing her baby in public. Over time, she gained confidence, recognising that for her daughter, it was simply a meal—not a source of controversy or shame.
The broader public reaction is mixed. While some individuals have displayed discomfort or curiosity, others have offered indifference or quiet support. Wills notes that many people, from cab drivers to construction workers, seemed unbothered by her breastfeeding.
Campaigners hope the new law will not only deter invasive behaviour but also spark deeper conversations about respecting women's autonomy. For Wills, the real change lies in society recognising breastfeeding for what it is: a natural, necessary act that deserves protection and respect, not voyeurism or judgment.
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The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields