Body piercer, 37, charged with ‘genital mutilation’ of a woman, 33, is hit with ‘more complaints’- as his studio opens for business as usual

• WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
• A 37-year-old man has been arrested over alleged genital mutilation
• He was then charged with prohibition of female genital mutilation
• The man was arrested at his Terrigal home on Tuesday morning
• Police allege he mutilated a female customer during a procedure in 2016

So what does the law say?

Offences under the new Act

Under the Summary Offences (Tattooing, Body Piercing and Body Modification) Amendment Act 2011 it is an offence to:

• perform a body modification procedure (such as tattooing, body branding or ear stretching) or intimate body piercing on a minor under the age of 18 years
• perform a non-intimate body piercing on a minor who is under 16 years of age without the consent of a guardian
• perform a body piercing or body modification procedure on a person who is intoxicated (whether by alcohol or other substances)
• sell body modification equipment to a minor.
• Australians seeking extreme body modification through sub-dermal implants have suffered major complications including infections and nerve damage, health authorities have warned.
• Key points:
• NSW health authorities say they have received complaints about sub-dermal implants
• Silicone implants are used in extreme body modification
• If inserted by an unqualified provider, they can cause infection and nerve damage
• The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission [HCCC] said it has received multiple complaints about the procedures being carried out in unlicensed tattoo and piercing parlours.
• Sub-dermal implants are usually made from silicone and are inserted under the skin to create horn, snowflake, skull, and crown shapes on the skull, ear or limbs.
• Unlike more traditional body art procedures such as tattooing and piercing, sub-dermal implants involve surgery.
• “These procedures involve incisions being made with a scalpel through the skin, instruments being used to open the pocket in which the implant will be inserted, and suturing of the incision site,” the HCCC warned in a statement.
• The HCCC said it is concerned the procedures are being carried out by unqualified providers in unsanitary conditions, with no follow-up care.
• Implants could cause permanent damage
• Health authorities said there was a high risk of medical complications, including infections, as well as tendon, nerve and ligament damage.
• “These complications may require you to seek urgent medical attention, to undergo revision procedures and may leave the consumer with scar tissue or other permanent damage,” the HCCC said.
• The HCCC said tattoo or piercing artists who offer sub-dermal implant procedures have to register with their local council to ensure they comply with infection control standards.
• They also warned silicone implants are not approved medical devices in Australia.
• “Sub-dermal implants are not subject to the same stringent research and testing as other types of implants, such as medical grade silicone breast implants,” the HCCC said.
• “As they are not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the quality and safety of the material being placed beneath your skin in these types of procedures cannot be guaranteed.”
• The HCCC said anyone who has received a sub-dermal implant should get it checked by their doctor.

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