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Virginity Testing

Overview

The government has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK, as part of the Health and Care Act 2022. This is because virginity testing is an invasive procedure and a form of sexual abuse linked to so called ‘honour’ based abuse, forced or child marriage, and coercive control. It has no clinical or scientific merit. It is a cultural practice that is based on requiring virginity in girls before marriage and can lead to dangerous or unnecessary surgical procedures known as hymenoplasty.

It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK.

Key Facts

‘Virgin’ is a term used to denote that an individual has not had sexual intercourse. Whether an individual is a ‘virgin’ can often depend on what is defined as ‘sexual intercourse’, which is subjective and may vary between person to person. Sexual intercourse may include, for example, vaginal, anal or oral sex. In many cultures, however, the most common interpretation of the term ‘virgin’ is someone who has not had penetrative vaginal intercourse.

Virginity is a concept that, in some cultures, denotes purity of a woman or girl. In some communities it is considered important for a woman to be a virgin before she is married.

The concept of virginity can perpetuate harmful attitudes around a women’s sexuality. In some cases, the requirement for a girl to refrain from sexual intercourse before marriage can lead to pressure to undergo virginity testing and hymenoplasty (also known as re-virginisation or hymen restoration surgery).

Virginity testing, also referred to as hymen, ‘2-finger’ or vaginal examination, is an inspection of the female genitalia, intended to determine whether a woman or girl has had vaginal sexual intercourse. Virginity testing is rarely an isolated incident of abuse, it is often associated with other behaviours that discriminate against, limit or harm women and girls.

For the purposes of the Health and Care Act 2022, virginity testing is any examination (with or without contact) of the female genitalia intended to establish if vaginal intercourse has taken place. This is irrespective of whether consent has been given.

The position of the World Health Organization and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is that virginity tests have no scientific merit or clinical indication as there is no known examination that can prove whether a woman or girl has had vaginal intercourse.

Consequences for young women can include:

• Physical harm
• Sexual abuse where no consent, or coercion
• Self-harm through fear of attending test or failing the test
• ‘Honour’ based abuse or even murder if the test is believed to have failed
• Normalisation, acceptance, fear leading to underreporting as it is not recognised as abuse and control
• Stigma, shame, dishonour
• Child marriage as a protective measure to avoid any sexual activity before marriage

A BBC investigation¹ in 2020 identified 21 clinics in the UK that were carrying out hymen repair surgery for £1,300-£3,000. The BBC found a number of clinics in the UK who were advertising ‘virginity repair’, when they were contacted they also then offered to do a virginity test for between £150 and £300.

References

¹ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-55078634

Resources

Virginity testing and hymenoplasty: multi-agency guidance July 22 - UK Government

The Virginity Myth animation by Karma Nirvana for schools etc. launched 25th November 2022

Virginity Myths Shining the Spotlight on Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty in the UK - UK charity Karma Nirvana

World Health Organisation statement on eliminating virginity testing

Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO)’s Virginity Does not Define Me campaign

Best Practice

If you suspect that a girl or young woman has been subjected to or is at risk of virginity testing contact the Sheffield Safeguarding hub on 0114 273 4855.

If the young person is 16 years or over she can also be referred for support to the Domestic Abuse Helpline, or at any age to the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service.