What are chastity belts?

According to Fox News, chastity belts were worn by girls and women beginning around the 15th century to preserve their virginity or help keep them chaste. These garments were made of metal or iron and were sometimes padded with cloth to prevent injury to women's lower region.

Some women were forced to wear what is known as an iron girdle. The girdle was never taken off, not even for urination. Wearing a chastity belt often resulted in injury. Some women died from their injuries, when they were cut by the metal or got infections from wearing the belts over a long period of time, for instance.