Sexual violence is a crime that has various forms. It may range from harassment to rape. In some cases, however, forced sexual contact is being rationalized as a medical treatment.

The use of sexual contact as medical treatment arose out of cultural beliefs and myths. It is a form of sexual violence that has been overlooked and hardly reported. The purpose of this article is to discuss the issue of forced sexual contact as medical treatment.

The Concept of Sexual Contact as Medical Treatment

Forced sexual contact as medical treatment is a practice in which a medical practitioner touches or inserts a finger, object or penis into a patient’s vagina or anus without the patient’s consent.

It is also referred to as virginity tests or hymen repair surgery. Most of the victims are women and young girls.

Virginity tests are a form of female genital mutilation in which the person conducting the test examines the hymen to determine if it is intact or not.

It is often done in many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America, to determine the chastity of a woman. Those who fail the test are often disowned by their families and communities.

On the other hand, hymen repair surgery is done to reconnect the torn hymen. It is also referred to as hymen restoration surgery.

Hymen repair surgery aims to restore the virginity of women who have had sexual intercourse before, especially those who are about to be married.

Why People Believe in Sexual Contact as Medical Treatment

The belief in sexual contact as medical treatment mainly arises from cultural and religious beliefs.

In societies that highly value chastity and virginity, it becomes a norm for parents to have their daughters undergo virginity tests before getting married. Those who fail the test face severe consequences, such as being disowned by their families.

Moreover, the practice of hymen repair surgery is deeply rooted in patriarchy culture, where women are viewed as objects of male pleasure. It is believed that a woman’s hymen is a symbol of her purity and chastity.

Therefore, when a woman loses her virginity, she no longer holds any worth.

The Dangers and Impacts of Forced Sexual Contact as Medical Treatment

Forced sexual contact as medical treatment is a form of sexual violence that can have severe physical, emotional, and psychological impacts on the victim.

It is a violation of human rights and dignity, and it contributes to the perpetration of gender inequality.

Victims of sexual contact as medical treatment may suffer from various health problems such as infections, physical injuries, and emotional trauma.

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In some cases, this can also result in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. As the practice is often conducted by unlicensed and untrained medical practitioners, the risk of complications rises.

The practice also has severe emotional and psychological impacts on the victim. The victim may suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The aftermath of sexual violence often leads to social isolation, loss of self-worth, and decreased quality of life.

The Legal Framework on Sexual Contact as Medical Treatment

Forced sexual contact as medical treatment is a violation of human rights and a form of sexual violence. It is illegal and criminalized in many countries worldwide.

In 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Council declared that virginity testing is a violation of human rights and called for its ban worldwide. Among countries that have banned virginity tests are Indonesia, Egypt, and India.

Moreover, many countries have also criminalized sexual violence and specifically included forced sexual contact as medical treatment in their laws.

For example, in Pakistan, the Anti-Torture Bill (2018) banned all forms of sexual violence, including virginity tests and hymen repair surgery.

The Need for Change

The practice of forced sexual contact as medical treatment has been normalized in some societies, and it continues to be used for various reasons.

This indicates a need for a paradigm shift in beliefs and attitudes towards women’s bodies and sexuality.

Education and awareness-raising campaigns can contribute to changing people’s perceptions and attitudes towards women’s bodies and sexuality.

Medical practitioners and healthcare providers should be trained to waive the practice of sexual contact as medical treatment and instead provide medical procedures that are safe and in compliance with human rights standards.

Conclusion

The practice of forced sexual contact as medical treatment is a form of sexual violence that has deep cultural and religious roots. The belief that women’s worth is determined by their virginity should be challenged and changed.

This form of violence violates human rights and dignity and perpetrates gender inequality.

The international community, governments, and civil society organizations should work together to ban and criminalize forced sexual contact as medical treatment, and provide psychological and medical support to victims.

A change in beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions towards women’s bodies and sexuality is necessary to ensure the protection of their human rights and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.