Hymenoplasty and virginity testing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful, illegal practices, and explain where to seek help and support.
Key learning points
- Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful practices that violate rights and can cause physical and emotional harm.
- Both practices are based on myths about virginity and female purity that have no medical or scientific basis.
- It is a criminal offence to perform, assist in, or arrange virginity testing or hymenoplasty in the UK or abroad.
- Failing to protect someone under 16 from these practices is also against the law.
- Support and protection are available through trusted adults, schools, the NHS and helplines such as NSPCC or Childline.
Keywords
Virginity testing - a medically invalid and harmful procedure that attempts to determine whether a girl or woman has had sexual intercourse
Hymenoplasty - a surgical procedure to 'repair' or 'restore' the hymen, often linked to controlling women and girls
Common misconception
Virginity testing shows if someone has had sex or not.
There is no medical test that can prove virginity. The hymen can stretch for many reasons.
Teacher tip
Speak to your RSHE lead before teaching this lesson. When delivering the lesson, reinforce the key messages that these practices are harmful, illegal and never the victim’s fault. Be aware of the safeguarding and disclosure policies for your setting before teaching this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the term 'cultural practice' mean?
Q2.FGM stands for female genital ...
Q3.Which of these are good examples of support services?
Q4.Why might some harmful practices continue even though they cause damage?
Q5.In the UK, what is the purpose of having laws about harmful practices?
Q6.FGM is a religious practice and many religious leaders condemn it.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to the correct definition.
an inaccurate procedure that tries to check if someone has had sex
a surgical procedure people falsely claim will 'restore' the hymen
permission for something to happen or an agreement to do something
Q2.Which statement about virginity testing is true?
Q3.Why are virginity testing and hymenoplasty banned by law?
Q4.What does UK law say about these practices?
Q5.Who can you talk to if you’re worried about someone being pressured into these practices?
Q6.Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful practices that violate a person’s rights and can cause physical and damage.
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Hymenoplasty and virginity testing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Hymenoplasty and virginity testing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Staying safe and healthy: Forced marriage, FGM, hymenoplasty & virginity testing unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.