A couple faced legal action for compelling their 15-year-old daughter to undergo a virginity test after discovering she had a boyfriend. The girl, unnamed for legal protection, testified that her father had physically assaulted her and demanded the examination in March 2025.
In La Roche-sur-Yon, France, the girl’s mother received a three-month suspended sentence for urging the minor to undergo the test, while the father faced charges for neglecting his parental duties and causing harm to the child. The father, a professional boxer, also faced charges of minor violence and was given a suspended sentence with probation.
The father justified his actions as a precautionary medical measure, claiming he wanted to ensure his daughter’s well-being. The mother defended him, citing frustration over their daughter’s perceived lack of transparency.
The prosecutor emphasized that the mere intent of subjecting the girl to a virginity test was unlawful and denounced the use of violence as a form of discipline. When informed of the test, the teenager reportedly experienced a panic attack and fainted.
Virginity testing is illegal in France, and the gynecologist declined to perform the procedure when approached by the parents. French President Emmanuel Macron previously condemned virginity tests as a violation of human rights and a practice linked to extremism.
Medical experts in France criticized virginity testing as archaic and discriminatory, highlighting the societal norms that perpetuate such practices. They emphasized the lack of scientific basis and the potential harm inflicted on individuals subjected to these tests.