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  • Year 8

Hymenoplasty and virginity testing

I can explain why virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful, illegal practices, and explain where to seek help and support.

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Lesson 2 of 3
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  • Year 8

Hymenoplasty and virginity testing

I can explain why virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful, illegal practices, and explain where to seek help and support.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful practices that violate rights and can cause physical and emotional harm.
  2. Both practices are based on myths about virginity and female purity that have no medical or scientific basis.
  3. It is a criminal offence to perform, assist in, or arrange virginity testing or hymenoplasty in the UK or abroad.
  4. Failing to protect someone under 16 from these practices is also against the law.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Hymenoplasty and virginity testing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term 'cultural practice' mean?

something only done in one country
Correct answer: a tradition observed by a particular community
a medical procedure
a religious ceremony

Q2.
FGM stands for female genital ...

Correct Answer: mutilation

Q3.
Which of these are good examples of support services?

a social media group
a friend's older sibling
Correct answer: Childline helpline
Correct answer: a GP or nurse

Q4.
Why might some harmful practices continue even though they cause damage?

Correct answer: because of tradition and pressure from communities
because they are required by law
because doctors recommend them
because they help people stay healthy

Q5.
In the UK, what is the purpose of having laws about harmful practices?

to control what families do in private
to punish people from other cultures
to make doctors' jobs easier
Correct answer: to protect people, especially children, from harm

Q6.
FGM is a religious practice and many religious leaders condemn it.

Correct Answer: not

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:virginity testing,an inaccurate procedure that tries to check if someone has had sex

an inaccurate procedure that tries to check if someone has had sex

Correct Answer:hymenoplasty,a surgical procedure people falsely claim will 'restore' the hymen

a surgical procedure people falsely claim will 'restore' the hymen

Correct Answer:consent,permission for something to happen or an agreement to do something

permission for something to happen or an agreement to do something

Q2.
Which statement about virginity testing is true?

It can accurately show if someone has had sex.
Correct answer: It is a harmful and illegal practice.
It is a private medical test offered in hospitals.

Q3.
Why are virginity testing and hymenoplasty banned by law?

Correct answer: they are unsafe
Correct answer: they are based on myths about purity
they only harm adults
Correct answer: they violate human rights

Q4.
What does UK law say about these practices?

They are allowed with parental permission.
Correct answer: They carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
Correct answer: It’s also illegal to take someone abroad for them.
They are legal if done privately outside the UK.

Q5.
Who can you talk to if you’re worried about someone being pressured into these practices?

Correct answer: school safeguarding staff
Correct answer: a police officer
Correct answer: a helpline, like Childline
no one; it’s a private issue
the person performing the procedure

Q6.
Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are harmful practices that violate a person’s rights and can cause physical and damage.

Correct Answer: emotional