Measures to outlaw virginity testing in England and Wales have been tabled as a clause in the Health and Care Bill, with backing from the Department of Health and Social Care.
The bill is now at committee stage.
It would also ban so-called 'virginity repair' procedures.
Virginity testing, virginity repair and 'honour crime'
So-called 'virginity testing' is an unscientific procedure involving an intrusive examination to assess whether the hymen is intact.
The hymen can tear for many reasons other than sexual intercourse, including tampon use and exercise.
'Virginity repair' procedures involve constructing a layer of skin at the entrance to the vagina to create the illusion of an 'unbroken' hymen.
The World Health Organisation says 'virginity' is "a social, cultural and religious construct with neither medical nor scientific basis."
Many women from Muslim backgrounds are at risk of so-called 'honour violence' if their spouses or families believe they have had sex before marriage.
Women's rights campaigners say clinics offering virginity repair are profiting from women afraid for their safety.
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Got a "Page Not Found" message when I clicked on the link.
ReplyDeleteI am appalled that virginity testing was ever available on the NHS.
the top link worked but not the bottom. Not sure why but both should be working now
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