A couple faced legal consequences after pressuring their 15-year-old daughter to undergo a virginity test at a gynaecologist’s office. The girl, whose identity remains undisclosed, reported that her father physically assaulted her upon discovering her relationship with a boyfriend and then insisted on the intrusive examination.
Prosecutor Sarah Huet revealed that the girl’s mother received a suspended three-month prison sentence for prompting a minor to undergo the test, while the father faced charges for neglecting parental responsibilities and causing harm to the child. Additionally, the father, a professional boxer, was convicted of non-injurious violence, leading to a six-month suspended sentence with probation.
The father defended his actions by claiming the test was a routine medical procedure to ensure his daughter’s well-being. Conversely, the mother defended him, attributing his outburst to the daughter’s secretive behavior.
During the court proceedings, Huet emphasized that the mere intention of conducting a virginity test was condemnable, regardless of the actual procedure. The teenager reportedly suffered a panic attack and fainted upon learning about her parents’ plans for the test.
Virginity testing is illegal in France, with medical professionals prohibited from carrying out such examinations. French President Emmanuel Macron, in 2020, strongly opposed virginity tests as part of efforts against what he termed as “Islamist separatism.”
The World Health Organization and a group of French medical experts criticized virginity testing as unscientific, violating human rights, and promoting sexist ideals. They highlighted the outdated nature of such practices and called for public awareness against endorsing virginity requirements in modern society.