“The Virgin in Prayer” by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (c. 1645), National Gallery (Accession No. NG200), London, Author/Source Web Gallery of Art (PD-Art, PD-Old-100)
WARNING: Graphic Images
Clinics in Britain offer controversial but ineffective tests for virginity which can place lives at risk [1]. Young women who “fail” such tests may be subjected to violence or sexual assault, starvation, banishment from their communities, and – in extreme cases – honor killings.
Shame and Dishonor
In a few cultures, the loss of virginity prior to marriage is still viewed as bringing shame and dishonor on the family and community as a whole. For that reason, virginity testing is often required for marriage.
Of course, it is always the woman’s virginity called into question.
Forced Testing
Women may be forced by parents, potential partners, or future in-laws to submit to virginity testing.
Virginity tests are, also, at times carried out on sexual assault victims to verify that rape has taken place. Needless to say, the testing is equally ineffective for that purpose, though it is traumatic. Continue reading
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 