Virginity Testing Beyond a Medical Examination

Robatjazi, Mehri; Simbar, Masoumeh; Nahidi, Fatemeh; Gharehdaghi, Jaber; Emamhadi, Mohammad Ali; Vedadhir, Abou-Ali; Alavimajd, Hamid

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p152

Cited by 22 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…All eight studies were level III evidence [4, 6, 14, 30, 32–35]. The internal validity of the studies reporting on impact on examinee ranged from fair to poor.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virginity testing: a systematic review

Olson

Garcia-Moreno

2017

Reprod Health

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BackgroundSo-called virginity testing, also referred to as hymen, two-finger, or per vaginal examination, is the inspection of the female genitalia to assess if the examinee has had or has been habituated to sexual intercourse. This paper is the first systematic review of available evidence on the medical utility of virginity testing by hymen examination and its potential impacts on the examinee.MethodsTen electronic databases and other sources for articles published in English were systematically searched from database inception until January 2017. Studies reporting on the medical utility or impact on the examinee of virginity testing were included. Evidence was summarized and assessed via a predesigned data abstraction form. Meta-analysis was not possible.Main ResultsSeventeen of 1269 identified studies were included. Summary measures could not be computed due to study heterogeneity. Included studies found that hymen examination does not accurately or reliably predict virginity status. In addition, included studies reported that virginity testing could cause physical, psychological, and social harms to the examinee.ConclusionsDespite the lack of evidence of medical utility and the potential harms, health professionals in multiple settings continue to practice virginity testing, including when assessing for sexual assault. health professionals must be better informed and medical and other textbooks updated to reflect current medical knowledge. Countries should review their policies and move towards a banning of virginity testing.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12978-017-0319-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…All eight studies were level III evidence [4, 6, 14, 30, 32–35]. The internal validity of the studies reporting on impact on examinee ranged from fair to poor.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virginity testing: a systematic review

Olson

Garcia-Moreno

2017

Reprod Health

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“…In such societies, rape survivors can face a multiplication of violence: secondary to the sexual assault, girls may be blamed for the attack, disowned by their families, and rejected by the local community, beaten, or in worst cases, killed (“honor-” based violence). [ 2 4 12 ] In the face of such negative consequences is not surprising that the demand for hymen repair has recently increase in some regions of the world, raising a whole new set of questions and debate. [ 12 ]…”

Section: Sexual and Gender-based Violence And Virginity Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is my daughter still a virgin? Can you, please, check it, doctor?

Rigon¹

2018

J Family Med Prim Care

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Gender-based violence is a pervasive public health problem, let alone a violation of human rights. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that, overall, 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or nonpartner sexual violence. In 2016, the author had the privilege to work with an outstanding group of people that helps sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) survivors in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The clinic, run by an international nongovernmental organizations, open walk-in to anyone in need, is functioning to the present day. In its 1st year along, the clinic helped almost 1000 survivors, mainly underaged girls. At the clinic, a highly qualified staff of local doctors and nurses, psychologists, and social workers is available, free of charge, 24 h a day, 7 days a week, and accessible to SGBV survivors in absolute confidentiality. Survivors are offered all the support they might need as per the WHO guidelines, from medical assistance (treating of physical injuries, testing and preventing sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or hepatitis B, and also gynecological and obstetric care) to psychological counseling, as well as specific referrals to shelters, legal aid, or secondary care as needed. Virginity still is highly valued in Haiti, and the father, mother, the beau-mare, or aunt of the survivor will often approach the doctor and anxiously whisper the question: “Is my daughter (goddaughter, niece) still a virgin?”, “Can you, please, check it, Doctor?” This article presents the perspective of SGBV survivors clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

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“…There are few articles in the medical literature discussing ‘virginity” testing from the perspective of clinicians from countries where ‘virginity’ testing is practiced. Robatjazi et al examined the perceptions and experiences of 16 physicians and midwives who perform ‘virginity’ tests in Iran 8. The authors report that ‘virginity’ testing is conventionally requested because of cultural factors and social pressures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virginity testing: recommendations for primary care physicians in Europe and North America

et al. 2020

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Virginity testing is a complex, culturally mediated practice that is poorly understood by Western clinicians. While advocating for global elimination of the practice of virginity testing as a human rights violation, clinical practice is often more complicated and ethically nuanced, and the clinician must act in the best interest of her patient. Upholding human rights does not have to be incompatible with providing a needed service to a patient, which should never include an invasive exam if not medically necessary, but should include education and safety assessments.

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Virginity Testing Beyond a Medical Examination

Cited by 22 publications

References 24 publications

Virginity testing: a systematic review

Virginity testing: a systematic review

Is my daughter still a virgin? Can you, please, check it, doctor?

Virginity testing: recommendations for primary care physicians in Europe and North America

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